Skip to main content

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below we have answered the most frequently asked questions regarding the  Natavo Natural Avocado IQF Product, the Natavo™ Technology and some of our logistics and application questions. If you have a question that we have not answered here, please touch base and ask us.

PRODUCT QUESTIONS

Why should I use Natavo™ natural avocado products?

  • Be the leader in your industry and introduce a world first frozen avocado product to your market (patented and trademarked).
  • Set a new ‘standard’ in using Natavo Natural IQF avocado products in your country.
  • For suppliers and distributors you can upgrade your own product portfolio and supply a better product to your existing customers.
  • Realise an increase in your market share by offering a superior frozen avocado product to the customers of your competitors.
  • For the food service industry who may currently use fresh avocado, you now have a frozen avocado product option that will be more consistent.
  • No preparation and no wastage means your kitchen is more efficient and economical.
  • Use a great tasting product that is new to the food service industry, who doesn’t want an ‘All Natural’ avocado product with an extended shelf life of 10 days (refrigerated) in any cut style.
  • Feel safe that you are providing a 100 % safe and certified avocado product to your customers worldwide.

What types of frozen avocado products can I buy made with the Natavo™ technology?

We are currently producing frozen avocado slices and frozen diced (chunks) avocado. As well as a smashed avocado (chunky pulp) product.

Can I buy any other IQF products other than avocados?

No. Our technology is calibrated specifically for producing Natavo Natural IQF avocado products and can only be used to process avocados.

What are the main advantages of the Natavo Natural products?

GREAT TASTE – Natavo Natural Avocado products are the closest taste to fresh avocados.

ALL NATURAL – No chemical, no additives, no processing aides, just 100% clean label avocado.

EXTENDED SHELF LIFE – 10 days extra shelf life in any style (refrigerated, even after the bag is opened). A minimum of 1 year in the freezer.

100 % SAFETY – Natavo™ technology features a proven ‘Kill Step’. (certified by leading US lab)

Are there any additives?

No, Natavo avocado is 100% natural with no additives.

Why doesn’t Natavo Avocado go brown?

Natavo avocado is the worlds first natural non browning avocado, the Natavo patented process stalls the browning enzyme in the avocado.

What variety of Avocado do you use?

100% Hass variety are used in both our South Africa and Mexico manufacturing facilities.

What is the shelf life of the Natavo avocado product?

IQF avocado chunks, diced and slices products are 2 years from date of manufacture. The Smashed avocado product is 18 months from date of manufacture.

How long can I use it after defrosting?

You can use Natavo Avocado products for up to 10 days after defrosting, when the product is kept in refrigeration.

Can I refreeze the product after it has defrosted?

No the Natavo avocado product cannot be refrozen.

What temperature should I store it at?

When frozen, store at -18°C
When refrigerated, store below 5°C

TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS

How does the Natavo™ technology work?

The technology carries significant intellectual property, developed from years of research. Please accept that a full disclosure of technology and components is not in the interest of the business. We can tell you that our patented process utilises natural forces only, there are no chemical or additives used, it is a 100% clean label all natural product.

How does Natavo™ , compare to HPP technology?

HPP does NOT stop browning at all. HPP is a food safety technology only and the HPP treated avocado will go brown within a few hours of opening the bag. HPP only works on pulp. It does NOT work on slices, diced, chunks. It is also a far more expensive technology to purchase and maintain.

Natavo™ gives 10 days shelf life (after opening the bag), it has a food safety step equal to HPP, it works on cut avocado pieces including slices, diced, chunks, pulp and smashed avocado.

Does the Natavo™ technology provide a microbiological “kill’ step?

Yes. There is a distinct microbiological ‘kill’ step employed in the technology. Unwanted pathogens and bacteria are eliminated to below standard regulatory limits (certified by leading US lab).

All avocados processed with the Natavo™ technology are 100 % food safe. Guaranteed. This validation certifies that the Natavo™ process and the frozen avocado product produced from it are fully food safe, and includes satisfactory completion of pathogen challenge tests to log 6, microbiological proofing and certificate of analysis.

Does the Natavo™ technology change the organoleptic or component analysis of the avocado

Apart from a very slight change in texture and even smaller change in flavour, all other organoleptic parameters remain the same as fresh avocado fruit. It tastes just like fresh avocado. Equally, there is no change in the component analysis of the avocado, the nutritional and oil content stays the same.

Is the Natavo™ technology patented?

Yes. The technology and the Avocado Time Machine (ATM) carry patent protection across all relevant countries, including Australia, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, USA, Japan, Israel, South Africa, UK and the EU. In fact there are 3 separate patents protecting Naturo’s IP. The Natavo™ word and logo are registered trademarks.

Does your technology work on any other products?

No. Our technology is calibrated specifically for producing Natavo Natural IQF avocado products and can only be used to process avocados.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

How should I sample / use Natavo avocado

We recommend to place the avocado product into your menu application (e.g. sushi, salad, poke bowl) and allow the avocado to thaw completely in situ.

How do I defrost Natavo Avocado

For the chunks and slices product, open bag and transfer frozen avocado pieces
to a non-transparent container to avoid light degradation. Thawing takes between 1.5 to 3 hours depending on use and refrigeration conditions.

For the smashed product, it is recommended to place the bag of smashed
avocado in refrigeration (without light) for 4 to 6 hours to thaw.

What is light degradation

Light degradation is when the avocado changes colour and occurs due to avocado being exposed to UV light, e.g. fridge light, fluorescent light and sunlight. This happens to all avocado products and is not unique to IQF avocado.

The most affective way to overcome this is MAP packaging, cold temperature refrigeration and distance from light source

LOGISTICS QUESTIONS

Is the facility BRC approved?

Our manufacturing facility in SA is BRC AA rated (the highest rating available). Our new Mexican facility is in the process of BRC certification (expected June 2024)

Is each batch tested for micro?

Yes, every batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis.

What is the MOQ?

We have 2 order quantities:

  • 20 foot container with 632 cartons / 7.584 t
  • 40 foot container with 1600 cartons / 19.2 t

Are the containers palletised?

Yes, all containers are palletised. A 20 foot container has 8 pallets plus floor stacked cartons and 40 the foot container is 20 pallets with no floor stacked cartons.

What is your order lead time?

Ideally we work with our customers to understand their 6 month demand requirements so that we can dove tail with our production capacity.

What are your Inco terms?

All orders are shipped based on an FOB basis.
FOB from Durban in South Africa or FOB from Manzanillo in Mexico.

Do you offer freight forwarding assistance?

Natavo can assist our customers with arranging the sea freight if required.

What is the sailing time to Europe?

In general sailing times from Durban in South Africa or Manzanillo in Mexico to Europe takes circa 4 to 6 weeks depending on the shipping line