Beer and wine connoisseurs know that light is very damaging to the taste of white wine and beer. The same is true of other commercial beverages including fruit juices and ciders that are displayed in refrigerated merchandisers.

After a few minutes of exposure to merchandiser case lighting, beer and wine and juices become “light struck” causing the alcoholic beverages to taste and smell either skunky, like cooked cabbage, garlic or onion.

Fruit juices turn sour and taste "off" and their nutritional value is compromised as the natural juices vitamins degrade under light. This is especially true for drinks that are contained in clear or opaque packing which offers little protection against the damaging effects of infiltrating light.

However, these effects are greatly minimized with PROMOLUX lamps, which emit lower levels of damaging visible spectrum radiation, providing a safer, healthier alternative for merchandising natural juice and alcoholic beverages.

Beer Displays in Commercial Refrigerators

Ultraviolet and harmful visible spectrum radiation from retail display case lighting initiates a photochemical reaction in beer that produces mercaptans, a group of organic compounds that includes the chemical skunks spray on their enemies.

Beer that has been light struck tastes and smells like a chemical that is produced by a skunk, this is why it is often referred to as "skunky". The light sensitive compounds found in hops (called isohumulones) degrade under light and produce the offensive skunky smell and taste. It is particulary stronger in lighter beers or beers that use more hops.

Clear glass offers no protection against the light struck effect, and amber glass reduces the effect only slightly. When in clear glass bottles, beer can become light struck in thirty seconds, while beer in amber glass bottles will become light struck in two minutes.

Refrigerated beer display cases are often brightly lit, which affects the taste of bottled beer. Because light cannot penetrate beer cans, canned beer is not likely to be light struck.

Retailers who change the lights in their beverage cases to PROMOLUX are ensuring their customers enjoy a nice cold beverage that tastes the way it should! And when it comes to fruit and vegetable drinks, shoppers are receiving the full nutritional benefits they expect when they purchase such a drink for their family.

Retail Wine Shop Merchandising

When wine is exposed light a chemical reaction is initiated which produces compounds known as mercaptans. Mercaptans cause the wine to smell and taste like skunk spray, sulphur, rubber, onion or garlic or even cooked cabbage.

This light struck effect occurs in white, rose, and sparkling wines more often than in red wines, because white and rose wines tend to be in clear bottles to show off their delicate colors, while red wines are usually in dark bottles, which protects the wine from the adverse effects of light.

For centuries, wine connoisseurs have stored wine in dark, cool cellars, which is the best way to preserve the full flavor of the wine. In some liquor stores, wines are showcased under high intensity lights such as hot spotlights, halogens or metal halide lamps, while wine displays in supermarkets are often lit by bright fluorescent lights. All of these lighting sources emit ultraviolet light and damaging visible spectrum radiation, which affects the quality and taste of the wine.

PROMOLUX low radiation balanced spectrum lights filter over 86% of harmful radiation while providing a light source that is perfect for wine coolers and merchandisers.

(Image on the Left: PROMOLUX lights installed in a wine display at a local wine shop keep the wine fresh and full of flavor).

Supermarket Fruit Juice Displays in Refrigerated Cabinets

The flavor, taste and appearance of fruit juices is affected by direct exposure to display case lighting especially when juices are packaged in clear containers.

Freshly squeezed juices such as orange juice are quite sensitive to the effects of light, and will spoil more quickly especially if the juice has not been pasteurized or does not contain preservatives.

PROMOLUX Lamps Help Prevent Fruit Drinks From Spoiling

PROMOLUX balanced spectrum lamps are ideal for beverage cases. In addition to providing safe illumination, PROMOLUX lights also bring out the bright and vibrant colors of the packaging helping to draw shoppers eye to what is in front of them. Furthermore to being a merchandising tool, PROMOLUX food retail lights protect beverages from the light struck effect ensuring shoppers purchase a quality and nutritional beverage their whole family can enjoy!

If you are looking for a way to bring another depth of merchandising strength to your stores' cases, then PROMOLUX lamps are the solution you're looking for!

Call us today toll free in North America at 1-800-519-1222 or contact us by email to get started. Soon both you and your customers will see the difference!