Magical mystery paper

It’s a new idea based on an ancient practice: FreshPaper keeps produce fresh two to four times beyond usual shelf-life because of the herbal infusion in each five-inch square. Kavita Shukla, the young inventor who developed the mix of fenugreek and other herbs and spices for this paper, learned about herbal curative powers from her grandmother in India. Upset that 25 percent of the world’s food supply is lost to spoilage, she applied the “secrets” to experiments with rotting fruits and vegetables. A long road from idea to patent to production followed, but now FreshPaper is available for purchase. A single square inhibits bacterial and fungal growth and enzymes that cause fruit and vegetables to rot.