Restrain, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of ethylene generators, announced recently that its signature product, which has been available in the United States and Canada since 2022 as a sprout inhibitor for onions, shallots, and garlic, has now been approved by 14 states following umbrella national approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.
In Canada, the use of Restrain is permitted throughout the entire country.
A press release can be read in its entirety at https://restrain.io/restrain-approved-in-the-us-and-canada-as-a-sprout-inhibitor-for-onions/.
The release notes that after harvest, “onions remain in storage sheds for months before being distributed to sales and processing locations. During that time, the onions can develop sprouts that affect the taste and make the onions unsuitable for sale and processing. Restrain prevents that.”
It goes on to say that Restrain “is a natural sprout inhibitor based on the natural gas ethylene, and by spreading ethylene in their storage locations, growers prevent the onions from sprouting. The method is already used in 40 countries worldwide as a sprout inhibitor for potatoes and onions, and as a seed potato accumulator.”
The product has been permitted for use in Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, Michigan, Utah, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New York and Pennsylvania since 2022. The admission process is still ongoing in California, the release states, adding that Restrain “also expects to be approved for use in organic farming in North America soon.” It has obtained organic approval in Europe, the release says, “because ethylene is a natural gas and does not leave any residues in the onions or potatoes, unlike many alternatives.”
Dirk Garos, Commercial Director of Restrain, said he expects many North American onion growers to benefit from the sprout control solution.
“Many growers must deal with sprouting onions, but they don’t use a sprout inhibitor yet. Others use a sprout inhibitor in the field, such as MH, but if onions don’t absorb it well, growers look for additional sprout inhibition in the storage phase. Moreover, existing resources are not suitable for organic farming. I expect that, just like in Europe, we will soon be admitted for that,” Garos said.
Learn more about Restrain on YouTube.
