Kansas State University researchers compared meat refrigerators with different lighting technologies and revealed that LED lights extend products’ shelf life for the longest time. LED lights came out the winner in three different tests – measuring the rate of discoloration, rancidity, and efficiency – scoring the bowling equivalent of a turkey.
These findings are not surprising, given that LED light sources do not emit heat. The most common refrigerator lights are fluorescent. Not only do these lights contribute to a higher ambient temperature (which speeds up spoiling), but the glass bulbs are prone to breakage.
LED lights, on the other hand are solid-state and safely housed in plastic. (So even extremely ham-fisted operators won’t shatter them.) Also worth noting is that the wavelengths of LEDs delay discoloration – a major factor in shoppers’ buying decisions.
Considering the energy efficiency, the delayed rate of spoilage (meaning less unsold beef that must be marked down or worse, chucked out), and the reduced need for replacements, LED lighting has emerged as the best, most money-saving option for commercial refrigeration units. So if you’re in the meat business and your fluorescent lights are giving you beef, don’t be a chicken! Join the LED Revolution.
