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The ‘rock’n’roll’ carrot polisher that Tong Peal introduced to the UK two years ago is finding a growing market with European packers seeking to upgrade the quality of produce for the supermarket.

The New Generation Polisher has brushes mounted in ‘U” formation and oscillates rather than rotate completely, keeping the crop in full contact with the revolving brushes.

One of the first customers outside the UK is Hiemstra Export, one of the leading Dutch vegetable packers which supplies 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of carrots each year to major retailers in Western Europe and as far as Africa, Israel and Russia. Now packers in countries from Portugal to Denmark and Sweden are moving over to the concept.
Jan van den Ham, managing director of Hiemstra Export, of Beringe, near Venlo, saw the new carrot washer at the Interpom Primeurs exhibition in Belgium, was impressed by the simplicity of the machine and bought one. It polished more than 7000 tonnes of carrots last year.

“The washer works on a very simple but effective principle,” says Mr van den Ham. “The big advantage for us is the durability, with a lot lower maintenance and running costs compared with a rotary barrel polisher. So much so we are looking at replacing our barrel polisher with a second Tong machine.”

Tong Peal was exhibiting again at the New Generation Polisher at the Interpom show last month.
Export sales manager Barry Ledger says that UK growers and packers are also showing growing interest in the machine for potatoes. “Polishing provides an attractive finish and prolongs shelf life a win/win situation — and now the potato trade is starting to look seriously at the technique.”