Comments
Thanks so much for your response! This is an interesting idea. I wonder how this has been used for laundry in the powder form.Storing food properly can help reduce food waste (Gladware, proper fridge/freezer temperatures, etc. Buying only what we need for the week or grocery shopping more frequently also helps.
How are we wasting so much food in the first place? I consume all the fruits and vegetables I buy before they go bad. If they are about to go bad, I usually try to do creative things with them (examples: vegetables in an omelet or soup; fruits in a smoothie; freeze the rest).
I also keep an eye on expiration dates of packaged foods, and clean out the cupboards regularly by donating food well before the expiration date or giving them to others if I didn't like the taste of it. Some stores (such as Trader Joe's and Costco) will also let you return items for a refund if you really didn't like their private label food. I have actually seen expired food on the shelf at the supermarket, so it is worth checking the package!
Linda,
Thanks for the idea! I am not familiar with this one. Can you please email me your contact information?
Rachel
Thanks so much for your informative response and tips. Do you have an email address for the appropriate contacts at Air Products & Chemicals? The formula behavior is definitely more challenging to control in an aerosol can!
Yes, a foaming aerosol with a non-stable foam that disappears quickly.
Do you know how the prices on the P&G eStore compare to retail prices?
And do you have to carry this thing around with you when you take your dog out for walks? I wonder how much it weighs! I'd love to see someone walking around with this thing!
I think it would be expensive for just a backyard/patio/house item. It could be marketed as something that could improve fitness (i.e., if someone carries hand weights while walking) or made small enough to fit in a backpack.
Wouldn't the folks over at GLAD know of experts and be able to help? Their expertise would be in plastics primarily, but perhaps they can give you leads on how they try to keep food/flavors fresh and lasting longer (and preventing issues like freezer burn, etc).
Don't forget about online distance learning courses! They may not be short (1 week long), but you can take them in your free time!
You can probably look at the can to see the actives.
MSDS here:
http://msds.reckittprofessional.com/customer_services/msds/dist/351945_r.pdf
It's interesting that they don't mention a P&G product, Febreeze Air Freshener.
It also seems like they are trying to educate consumers. Lots of people don't understand that an air freshener doesn't necessarily "sanitize" or "kill" odor-causing bacteria.
UC Davis has a great agricultural program, so that probably means a good food science program as well. A bonus: it's relatively local.
http://www.fruitandvegetable.ucdavis.edu/Cooperative%5FExtension%5FShort%5FCourses/
It seems that P&G is relying quite heavily on facebook, when it may not be here to stay. I agree that Twitter is more of a "listening tool" or for one-on-one communication. On the other hand, facebook usually reaches many people rapidly, but it is already saturated with many ads, banners, event invitations, feeds, notifications, etc.
I also agree social networking is a strong tool, but putting all of P&G's "eggs in one basket" is questionable.
There are some awesome exhibits related to this at the Hiller Aviation museum in Santa Clara county. Kind of reminds me of this article.
I am not an expert in "certifying" disinfectants, but I doubt that there is a chemical out there that can guarantee 100% disinfection. Even if it was 100% effective at killing microorganisms, improper use or "missing a spot" and making mistakes, or waiting too long to clean a surface can lead to stray bugs that will infect others. Personally, there are no guarantees.
Consumers can be empowered by learning the proper use of cleaning agents, and cleaning thoroughly and regularly.