Econofrost Refrigeration Blinds Do Not Pose A Health Risk and Do NOT Use Silver Nano Technology

As consumer watchdogs and health officials file a petition to ban the sale of consumer products that use Silver Nanotechnology Econofrost founder Mark Granfar assures retailers that Econofrost night covers do not contain silver nanotechnology and were engineered specifically for food applications making them a viable, effective and food- safe tool to reduce energy consumption and increase product integrity. “Our goal from the very start was to manufacture a night cover for food retail environments. We understood the need to create an effective product that met both the needs of the consumer and the industry. Food safety was one of those requirements.”

Large chains like Stater Bros, Raley’s, Basha’s and Fry’s as well as independent grocers have all chosen to install Econofrost woven aluminum heat reflective night covers in their stores as a way to conserve energy and preserve the freshness and quality of their perishables on display.

“We totally support and encourage stores to initiate an in-store test,” says key account representative Jamie Orr. “The benefits of installing Econofrost night covers far outweigh the benefits of other night covers on the market because of the advantages in design and quality. We know our night covers are modular in design and will last a long time saving the retailer thousands of dollars over the years.”

Manufacturers who engineer their products with silver nano-technology and do so claiming it has antibacterial benefits have designed a product that poses a health risk to people and the environments. Silver nano-particles are extremely toxic and study after study is confirming the detrimental effect of using such materials in everyday items.

Econofrost night covers are made using woven aluminum fabric which is ideal for commercial refrigerated applications. Woven aluminum fabric absorbs very little radiated heat and reflects radiant energy away from perishable foods. This helps ensure cooler temperatures inside the case and more stable product temperatures. Woven aluminum fabric is also very hygienic and easy to clean and will last for years withstanding the daily rigors of a retail store environment.

Retailers looking for eco-conscious alternatives to minimize their store’s impact on the environment and reduce their utility bill can find more information on Econofrost night covers online at http://www.econofrost.com or they may call toll free 1-800-519-1222 to speak to a representative directly.

New Product:

SECURIFROST is a lockable, retractable roller shutters for refrigerated display cases that help keep product secure inside the case and to reduce energy consumption.

Available in hard-shell units or fabric covers with a lockable handle, SECURIFROST provides food retailers and foodservice operations with a convenient built-in device to deter theft and improve energy efficiency.

Existing Product:

Original ECONOFROST night covers have been further developed to now include the SECURIFROST security cover product line.

New Foodservice Application:

SECURIFROST is available for closing off access in the open style merchandising cases that carry such products as ‘grab-n-go’ prepared foods, beverages, and liquor and which are typically located in public areas or are subject to licensing and operating hours restrictions.

Cost Reductions:

SECURIFROST benefits retailers wanting to reduce their shrink costs from loss of product due to theft and spoilage.  The lockable anti-theft cover helps deter opportunist pilferage, and the night cover feature helps maintain core temperatures inside the display case and thus protects product integrity.  Labor savings are realized through reduced overnight reload/ unloading tasks.  

Aesthetic Impact:

SECURIFROST is integrated into the display case’s fabrication and rolls up and out of sight when not in use.   It is a factory installed product and can be designed to fit the ‘look’ required in display case applications.

ECONOFROST’s additional product line - SECURIFROST security cover provides display case equipment manufacturers integrated components for bringing new solutions to meet food retailers’ requirements for security, product integrity, and energy savings.

 Developing Countries

 The increased use of refrigeration technologies are improving the efficiency of fresh food distribution in developing countries as has long been the case in North America and Europe. Removal of field heat and better preservation of harvested crops stimulate agricultural production and commerce.  Fruit, flowers, vegetables, milk and meats can be stored for longer periods and distributed to more distant markets. Even highly perishable produce, fish and cold drinks are being kept fresher during transport and while stored on display shelves at their retail distribution points.

On the whole, developing countries focus more on increasing agricultural production than on preserving agricultural products. This explains why post-production losses are so high, whether in the field or during transport, storage and distribution, states Francois Billiard, Director of the International Institute of Refrigeration.  However, sophisticated refrigeration technologies are no longer exclusive to developed countries of Europe and North America. Developing countries in Latin America and Asia, particularly China where profound changes to the business climate are taking place and demands for energy is exploding, are advancing their food distribution networks with increasingly efficient refrigerated storage, transportation and display systems.

 Refrigeration is an appealing food preservation process, because it is one of the few that preserves the original properties of foodstuffs, says Billiard . Its main field of application is the preservation of foodstuffs of animal origin: meat, dairy and fishery products. However, the process is also used to freeze foodstuffs of plant origin, or to chill them, in which case the purpose is to extend their storage life, and to maintain their freshness. Refrigeration also opens up lucrative markets to developing countries for goods like tropical fruits and other produce that must be delivered fresh or not at all.

 Retail Food Preservation

 Progressive globalization is increasing the complexity of food delivery networks and is expanding demand for reliable and efficient food preservation systems. The food industry refers to systems delivering refrigerated foods to the consumer as the cold chain. The cold chain requires systems to be in place that ensure food is harvested, stored and distributed to retailers and consumers in ways that minimize spoilage at all stages.

 The retail outlet is often where the cold chain fails because open food display cabinets are subject to temperature fluctuations in the store environment or where ambient temperatures are very high as in tropical zones. However, the hours that stores are closed overnight can be used as a time to stabilize proper temperatures and protect food integrity and quality. Retail stores of all sizes can afford to significantly reduce energy waste by covering food display cabinets overnight with Econofrost night covers. It is a quick and easy operation to roll down the covers at the end of the day.

 Econofrost Protects Profit Margins

 Econofrost reflective night covers were created to improve the efficiency of refrigerated display systems at the retail level. Already established in the international marketplace, Econofrost technology offers simple and cost effective solutions to fresh food retailers wherever they are needed. The use of Econofrost thermal shields to cover refrigerated display cases overnight extends the shelf life of refrigerated foods and protects retail profit margins in the face of increasing energy costs. Installing Econofrost thermal shields is a simple, affordable way to save energy and decrease the load on older refrigeration equipment.

Econofrost has served the supermarket industry since 1975 and made over 250,000 installations in nearly 30 countries. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.

References

Energy efficient night covers for refrigerated display cabinets  

  November 5, 2007

 Western Grocer, a long-established Canadian retail publication, August edition, features Econofrost night covers in Whats Cool in Cooling.

 The article showcases Econofrost as an innovative technology for  refrigerated merchandising cases to help grocers protect their profit margins, leading the way to reduced energy expendures while maintaining food storage safety, customer satisfaction and profitability.  Western Grocers, Colleen Stewart noted that sales of Econofrost woven aluminum night covers for refrigerated product display cases are taking off globally in a big way. Jamie Orr, key account manager for Econofrost reports that new installations in perishable food merchandisers are saving more than the full cost of the Econofrost installation in a matter of weeks, with demonstrated payback periods of three to eighteen months when a store is closed a minimum of 60 hours a week.  How do Econofrost night curtains work? The benefits are accomplished overnight. Made from a woven heat reflective material, Econofrost night covers stabilize cool temperatures in open refrigeration cases to reduce energy consumption while a store is closed. Better temperature and humidity control prolongs the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise and decreases the energy load on refrigeration equipment.   Independent laboratory tests have proven direct energy savings of up to 36% during the hours used from lower heating and air conditioning costs. Econofrost night covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits.   Econofrost has served the supermarket industry since 1975 and made over 250,000 installations in nearly 30 countries. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.   

Did you know there are areas in your store where can you reduce your energy expenditures”and save up to half your energy costs while your store is closed? Just install Econofrost night covers to start reducing energy losses and extending product shelf life.Since accessibility to fresh food items means easy selection for consumers, most refrigerated merchandisers are open and uncovered. Many thermal barriers such as cooler doors are also visual barriers and inhibit access by shoppers. On the other hand, any supermarket or retail food store that has open display coolers is paying a lot to refrigerate the contents 24 hours a day. What challenges the cooling equipment and compromises the chilled goods is the ambient heat that constantly moves into the coolers from the aisle. Become one of the many retailers who are discovering that when refrigerated foods are protected with Econofrost and allowed to chill properly overnight, the beneficial effects can last up to 15 hours after the store opens.When investing in expensive refrigeration equipment, the first gap to fill is the front end of your display cases while your store is closed. When you start to cover your coolers overnight with an energy efficient, durable thermal barrier of Econofrost flexible aluminum night covers, you start to expend less energy, and save the costs of energy required to chill the display coolers in the midst of a warm store. Econofrost night covers help reduce:  running time of the supermarkets heating and air conditioning units-  energy consumed by the refrigerator compressors- equipment maintenance- overall refrigeration costs -  loss of valuable refrigerated air -  costs of heating the storeInstallation of Econofrost night curtains is a cost effective measure that will pay for itself. Econofrost has demonstrated paybacks anywhere between three to 18 months depending on how long the store is closed, local energy costs, the efficiency of the commercial refrigeration equipment, and the retail store environment. Payback periods are derived from a combination of energy savings and the significant reduction in perishable goods damage and produce shrinkage. Extended product shelf life and reduced damage to perishable goods from exposure to heat and UV radiation during the supermarkets closed hours demonstrates the most noticeable and quickest payback. Econofrost can  help protect your refrigeration systems and save 37% to 50% of refrigeration and heating costs for the hours when the supermarket is closed. Commercial refrigeration compressors and store heating systems typically operate more efficiently, less frequently, and  require less energy. Econofrost refrigeration night covers are a trouble-free and durable investment for any  supermarket and can be easily installed in existing supermarket merchandisers. Econofrost is available on new equipment from most refrigerated display equipment manufacturers, including Tyler/Carrier, Hill Phoenix, Hussmann, Master-Bilt, Barker, and Southern Stores Fixtures. 

The best way to protect the contents of refrigerated coolers while the store is closed is to efficiently deflect heat and light emissions outward and trap the cold air inside the case, while allowing condensation to evaporate and preventing the formation of mildew.What makes Econofrost night curtains superior to others on the market?Since Econofrost night curtains were designed by engineers to meet the highest quality specifications for usage, efficiency and durability, how do they stack up against others on the market? One secret lies in the unique fabric engineered to create an efficient thermal barrier. The woven aluminum fabric is flexible and coated with a thin film of PVC. Made from food safe materials, Econofrost night curtains are easy to clean so staff can ensure superior hygiene for your supermarket food displays. Comparison of materials used for cabinet coversThe specialized Econofrost woven aluminum fabric effectively blocks UV radiation and light. Of all materials used for refrigeration  night covers, aluminum is the most effective thermal shield for reflecting heat and is successfully employed in Econofrost night curtains to block 70% of the ambient heat from supermarket aisles. The polyester coating contributes flexibility, strength and durability.By comparison,  materials used to cover refrigerated cabinets such as cloth, plastic, or linoleum materials tend to attract and retain heat, while plastic can become brittle and discolored. Rough or hard-to-clean surfaces such as fabric or textured plastic attract moisture and dust and provide places for molds and mildew to grow. Besides being difficult to wash, polyester  film alone is not as energy efficient as polyester coated aluminum, and loses its tension and appearance over time. Damaging UV radiation easily passes through clear plastic, glass panels and glass refrigerator doors and glass doors are subject to fogging. Though useful for maintaining stable temperatures, closed cabinets and the use of daytime covers both reduce physical access to merchandise, creating a visual barrier between the goods and the customer at peak shopping times.Compared with plastic, glass and other materials, the benefits of  installing Econofrost woven aluminum thermal curtains for overnight use are clear: reduced energy usage,  extended shelf life and food safety. Econofrost refrigeration blinds are easily installed as retrofits on all open refrigerated cases. Factory installed Econofrost night covers are available in standard widths of 4, 6, and 8 feet, and custom orders are welcome. Once installed, they are easy to use and maintain, will keep their shape and last for many years. 

Econofrost Reflective Night Covers are right for Supermarkets in China.

Econofrost arrives in China at a time of great change in the food marketing industry. In the summer of 2006, news in China is filled with stories about the country astonishing economic development. Much of China turnaround from a huge developing country into a modern progressive nation lies in its transformed food marketing industry now visible in every city across the country.

The introduction and application of centralized large scale food marketing is happening at a time when retailers need more than ever to control their rising energy costs. Introduced to China at the FHC Beijing 2006 in June, energy-saving Econofrost woven aluminum night covers are now available to supermarkets in China. Econofrost joined around 200 Chinese and foreign owned enterprises associated with retail display and marketing to demonstrate the benefits for supermarkets in using Econofrost night covers to help preserve refrigerated foods and reduce energy waste.

The Energy Factor

The operation of large scale stores in China adds to mounting demands on the country energy resources and is helping to drive energy prices upwards. News stories in China frequently inform citizens in this fast changing country about the importance of exercising every opportunity to save energy and avoid wasting resources.

An article in the July 16, 2005 People Daily Online entitled Energy saving brings new operational modes to China’s enterprises, cited experts’ advice that the contradictions between fast economic growth and the increase of population and insufficient fresh water, land, energy and mineral resources have been more and more conspicuous and quoted Futong Group Board Chairman Wang Jianyi saying that everywhere China is taking up significant energy-saving actions. 

The Supermarket Phenomenon

The proliferation of supermarkets in China is in the news for good reason. Huge new stores are changing the way business is done in China, transforming traditional on-the-street food retailing into large-scale centralized food delivery systems, from the city centers outward. Fixed prices and plastic wrap are among the western marketing features now becoming established in China.

The supermarket as we know it was a brand new phenomenon in China only fifteen years ago. Since the early 1990s, the introduction of huge supermarkets and even larger hypermarkets to cities in all provinces accounts for a significant part of China economic miracle and the phenomenon is rapidly changing China entire system of food distribution on an unprecedented scale” making changes in everyday lives that were unimaginable for most people only a decade ago.

The world has not failed to recognize that modernization of Chinas economy today means more goods of all kinds are quickly becoming available to vast numbers of potential consumers. China’s explosive economic growth is obvious in the food delivery sector, where shoppers are flocking into new brightly-lit multilevel supermarkets with banks of electronic checkout registers and magnetized escalators that hold shopping carts in place between floors.

In the traditional pattern of food distribution, seasonally available foods are brought into the cities daily from surrounding farmlands and consumers purchase fresh produce for daily needs in small local stores or on the street. However, in city center neighborhoods where multitudes of small vendors and open markets delivered local fresh vegetables and meats only a few years ago, today stand multi-level supermarkets providing, under one roof, a wide selection of food choices from both local and distant producers. China’s government is continually reaching out to sign new international trade agreements that will bring into Chinese stores an ever-expanding array of goods and provide new markets for Chinese exports.

Food distribution systems have never before gone through such rapid and dramatic development affecting so many people as is happening in China today. Shanghai currently has 124 hypermarkets and is adding more. Of the major foreign-owned chain companies rapidly establishing themselves in China, the French owned Carrefour chain did 2 billion euros of business last year in China and in May announced plans to open 20 new hypermarkets in 2006, compared with 14 new stores last year, and intends to continue their momentum at least until 2008. In June, Walmart, already well established across the country with stores that receive half their revenue from food items, followed up by announcing plans to match that number of new stores this year, aiming at smaller cities such as Yuxi, Yunnan Province, in China’s southwest region. Furthermore, the Chinese government is reported to be subsidizing 250,000 new supermarket openings in rural areas from 2005 to 2008.

Domestic Chinese supermarkets are quickly learning how to apply western marketing methods to the Chinese environment and large Chinese chains are expected to grow into serious competition for the European, Taiwanese and American chains. China Central TV English language business news, Biz China, announced that Chinas food catering industry is also expanding on a large scale, having done nearly $1.10 billion US in business last year and looking to do more.

Modern Chinese supermarkets are well-lit and clean, with large scale food displays showing off many traditional Chinese food choices like dumplings and steamed buns, exotic mushrooms and pickles, and regional specialities like chunks of smoked ham and pickled cabbage, along with western products previously available in China only in districts where westerners were willing to pay very high prices to get familiar foods from home.

Increasingly, supermarket foods are packaged and kept in temperature-controlled cabinets, and well-lit attractive marketing displays help consumers make selections to fill their grocery carts. Long shelves of milk, yoghurt, ice cream and cheese require advanced storage facilities and show expiration dates. New display cabinets designed for easy accessibility also require effective temperature controls and energy saving mechanisms.

Modern and Traditional Food Marketing in China

A visitor who travels around a Chinese city quickly becomes aware of contrasting worlds operating together. Modern city buildings rise out of the rushing traffic, while small businesses continue to operate as they always have in smaller streets that are crowded with foot traffic day and night.

Rows of new highrises are interspersed with streets lined with small store fronts where small vendors on foot still deliver locally produced goods like eggs or a small array of freshly cut green vegetables, sidewalk cooks with moveable carts attached to bicycles serve up hot bites of tofu or marinated meat on a skewer, and in Chinas south west, travelling vendors offer a continual array of seasonal fruits and huge bunches of flowers.

Traditional food delivery from the countryside to city consumers is still evident everywhere, often with unpackaged foods passing through many hands on the way to the street corner and local restaurants. Foods are transported and displayed on bicycle carts, open to the sun and the dust. Fresh vegetables are kept bright with sprinkles of water from a bucket and hot foods are prepared in woks sitting atop small portable cookers right at street level.

Vegetables are often sorted on the sidewalk in front of small restaurants, live chickens sit in cages waiting for their trip to the kitchen, and live fish sit in the sun in small basins of water, ready for purchase and immediate cooking. Snacks and local foods cooked on the street at mealtimes smell exotic and enticing, and are definitely interesting for westerners to observe, but visitors can rarely count on traditional methods of food preparation to meet their expectations of hygienic and safe foods.

Modernization is, however, bringing increased awareness to the Chinese people of food safety issues. Demand for more hygienic methods has caused China to expand food inspection programs and to enact consumer protection legislation and new food recall laws in 2006, placing new responsibilities on food retailers to deliver safe foods to consumers.

The new supermarkets are providing better opportunities for food retailers to meet the higher food safety standards and consistently deliver cleaner and safer foods using efficient and modern food handling methods.

An Econofrost representative says, Food retailers and supermarkets play a vital role in preventing foodborne illnesses and assuring that customers are taking home the safest and highest quality foods. Not only is it good retail practice to maintain high quality chilled food displays at optimal temperatures, but failing to keep foods chilled below critical levels will soon show up in diminished quality and lost sales.

Econofrost explains that food temperatures fluctuate in open display cabinets

Constantly changing storage temperatures are perhaps the biggest threat to food quality and products near the front of display cabinets suffer the most degradation from temperature fluctuation. Studies have shown that up to 95% of all heat transfer is a result of radiation from the mass of warm air in the store into the open refrigerated display cases. Products near the exposed front of the display case can be warmer by 7 degrees to 8 degrees C than products placed farther in the back of the case. One independent study reported that maintaining stable temperatures throughout the case during closed hours significantly reduced premature spoilage and thus extended product shelf life.

Econofrost reflective night covers effectively create a thermal barrier in refrigerated display cases and stabilize lower temperatures in the cases overnight by reflecting warm air away from the chilled foods on display. Giving the refrigeration units a rest at night saves energy and protects the chilled foods from temperature fluctuations.

Of all the materials used for refrigeration night covers, Econofrost uses a specially designed aluminum fabric because it is the most effective material for reflecting heat. Econofrost states. The choice of aluminum as a shield material as opposed to other materials readily available is due to its low emissivity. Aluminum has been found to be 20 times more effective than plastic, linoleum, and plastic film at reflecting radiated heat from open refrigerated display cases.

Addressing another challenge for food retailers, food coolers in warm environments often produce high levels of condensation. Perforations in the woven aluminum fabric of Econofrost night covers allow condensation to evaporate and prevent mildew from forming, further prolonging shelf life and maintaining food high quality.

Econofrost has been serving the supermarket industry in over 25 countries since 1975 and has made over 250,000 installations. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost, is a world leader providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers. Market Group also manufactures Promolux Safe Spectrum lighting, balanced spectrum low radiation lamps designed specifically for meats, dairy and all fresh food displays.