Revolutionizing Vegetable Processing in South America: VERFOODSOLUTIONS Delivers Cutting-Edge Lettuce Washing Line to Argentina

Recently, we delivered a comprehensive lettuce processing line to a customer in Argentina, designed to streamline their operations from sorting to packaging. The process starts with sorting on two tables—one for whole leaves and another with drainage holes for faster washing. The lettuce then undergoes an initial clean using a 5-meter air bubble water spraying machine to remove dirt and impurities. After washing, the lettuce is cut into 2cm segments with our precise leafy vegetable cutter. The cut vegetables pass through a second 3m length bubble washer to gently rinse away residual juices and dirt, helping to preserve freshness. An 800mm diameter dewatering machine then quickly removes excess moisture, preparing the vegetables for packaging. Currently processing 150 kg per hour, this setup suits their initial needs, but considering future expansion, we recommended 3m and 5m length air bubble washing machines for both primary and secondary cleaning—removing mud, dirt, and rinsing away juices to prevent cell rupture and spoilage. These larger machines will support increased capacity up to 800 kg and maintain high-quality standards. Additional equipment may be added later as they grow, which we will discuss further in this blog.

In the upcoming sections, we will take a closer look at the innovative equipment that is driving this exciting transformation. This project has truly revolutionized vegetable processing in South America, and our client’s satisfaction speaks volumes about the quality and efficiency of our solutions. They have expressed their confidence in our equipment by agreeing to serve as a permanent reference, opening doors for future collaborations. As they expand their operations, they plan to scale up capacity and incorporate additional equipment, further elevating their production standards. This partnership not only showcases the transformative power of our technology but also solidifies VERFOODSOLUTIONS position as a trusted leader in the regional market.

Vegetable Sorting Table

We have designed and customized two sets of vegetable sorting tables to perfectly suit the customer’s unique needs, both measuring 2000mm in length and 800mm in width. These high-quality tables feature flanged edges, effectively preventing vegetables from falling onto the floor during sorting and cleaning, ensuring a tidy and efficient workspace. The key difference lies in their design: one table is without holes, allowing the lettuce to stay whole and uncut—ideal for easy selection—while the other is equipped with holes to facilitate water drainage during washing, making cleaning faster and more thorough. All aspects of these tables—length, width, height, flange height, layer configuration, and hole diameter—are fully customizable. Share your specific vegetable processing requirements with us, and we’ll craft a tailored solution that elevates your operation to the next level.

Air Bubble Washing Machine

For customers aiming to process approximately 150 kg of vegetables per hour, we recommend a two-stage bubble washing system consisting of a 5m long, 800mm wide air bubble water spraying fruit and vegetable washing machine as the first cleaning stage, followed by a 3m long, 800mm wide air bubble washing machine for secondary cleaning. The 5m washing machine is designed to effectively remove sand, dirt, and impurities from the vegetables, ensuring thorough initial cleaning. The subsequent 3000mm machine provides a deeper clean, especially important after cutting, when cell walls are damaged and internal juices—containing water, sugars, minerals, and enzymes—may seep out. Removing these juices is vital to prevent rapid spoilage post air-drying. This dual-washer setup is also future-proof: when production increases to 800 kg per hour, the system can be easily adapted by reversing the order—placing the 3000mm washer first for rough cleaning, then the 5m air bubble washer for finer impurity removal—ensuring consistent, high-quality cleaning at larger scales. For even more comprehensive cleaning in future projects, particularly after cutting, adding a vortex bubble cleaning machine is highly recommended. The vortex bubbles penetrate deeper, delivering a more thorough clean and significantly enhancing output efficiency, nearly doubling cleaning effectiveness and greatly improving productivity for high-volume vegetable processing.

This advanced vegetable washing machine employs a water-immersed spray and tumbling bubble system that guarantees efficient removal of impurities from vegetables and fruits. Equipped with adjustable nozzles, it ensures thorough cleaning from every angle, achieving a 100% cleaning rate. The multifunctional design combines a high-pressure bubble generator with a circulating water pump to deliver triple cleaning action—effectively removing mud and impurities while gently handling delicate produce. Made from high-quality stainless steel, the machine is easy to operate and ideal for large-scale vegetable processing, employee canteens, and distribution centers. Its automated features include cleaning, spraying, tumbling, and rinsing, all designed to prevent damage to the produce. The adjustable speed and customizable cleaning cycles make it both convenient and highly efficient.

Leafy Vegetable Cutting Machine

The leafy vegetable cutting machine was customized to meet the customer’s specific need to cut lettuce into 2cm segments. This machine features an adjustable cutting range from 1 to 25mm. Inside the LVC660 leafy vegetable cutter, adjustment screws are conveniently installed; simply loosen these screws and reposition them to modify the cutter’s speed, allowing precise control over the width of the segments. Designed with a modular, manual cutting principle, it delivers high-precision, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing cuts. The machine is easy to operate, stable in performance, and boasts a long service life. It is versatile, capable of quickly processing a variety of ingredients—including fruits, vegetables, and nuts—by shredding, dicing, striping, and segmenting. Both slice thickness (2-6mm) and shredding width are adjustable, and it comes with a range of blades (straight, wavy, vegetable-shaped, and square) to meet diverse cutting needs. Widely used for ingredients like apples, bananas, strawberries, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers, leeks, beans, celery, kale, choy sum, and broccoli, this machine greatly improves work efficiency and is suitable for both kitchen and industrial applications. With a high processing capacity of up to 600 kg/hour and a compact footprint, it significantly boosts productivity, reduces preparation time, and enhances overall efficiency. To further increase production, the customer later upgraded to a Model 300 slicing and shredding machine, which offers higher output and even more precise cuts compared to the LVC660.

Straight Belt Conveyor

The straight belt conveyor plays a crucial role in the entire processing system, seamlessly handling tasks such as washing, cutting, and dehydration of vegetables. Its versatility is unmatched—both the length and width of the mesh belt conveyor can be customized to perfectly fit the customer’s workspace and production line. Additionally, the height of the feed and discharge sections can be tailored to ensure smooth integration with other equipment, optimizing workflow efficiency. The discharge area features an extended section that can be easily adjusted in height and angle using screws, designed to meet the feeding requirements of subsequent machines. While customers typically opt for our durable Type B mesh belt, we also offer a variety of mesh belt options to meet specific processing needs. This customizable conveyor not only enhances operational flexibility but also ensures a smooth, efficient, and adaptable production process.

Dewatering Machine/Air Cooling Drying Machine

The dewatering machine and air cooling drying machine are essential components tailored to meet the customer’s evolving production needs. Initially processing just 150 kg per hour, primarily supplying local restaurants with salads where a slight moisture content helps maintain a fresh appearance. To meet these requirements, we recommended an 800mm diameter dewatering machine. Crafted from food-grade stainless steel with a reinforced inner tank, it offers excellent corrosion and pressure resistance, ensuring hygiene and durability. The high-speed rotation enables rapid dehydration, keeping vegetables fresh and dry. Powered by a robust copper-core motor for swift heat dissipation and long-lasting performance, the machine features a large drain port for easy waste removal and a timer for customizable dehydration cycles—saving valuable time. Its adjustable bolts accommodate uneven flooring, while the stainless steel inner drum ensures easy cleaning and resistance to corrosion and pressure. Built for stability and efficiency, this machine delivers superior dewatering performance. As the customer plans to expand production to 800 kg per hour to supply supermarkets, we recommended an 8000mm long, 800mm wide air cooling drying machine. This system is designed to thoroughly remove all residual moisture from washed and cut lettuce, ensuring vegetables stay fresh and shelf-ready for longer storage. We look forward to discussing this further in future orders to optimize their drying process and meet the demanding standards of supermarket supply chains.

Vacuum Packaging Machine

Currently, this customer uses simple, transparent PP plastic bags for packaging. To streamline their packaging process, we recommended a reliable, continuous semi-automatic vacuum packaging machine capable of handling 300-400 bags per cycle. This versatile system not only provides secure sealing but also supports nitrogen flushing and vacuuming, dramatically extending the freshness and shelf life of the vegetables. It features a precise coding device, allowing production dates to be printed directly on each bag, ensuring clear traceability. The adjustable seal distance offers flexibility to accommodate various bag sizes, making it a durable solution that can adapt to changing packaging needs without requiring major modifications. As production scales up, the machine can also be used for quick testing of new packaging samples. We will collaborate with the customer to confirm their preferred bag types and finalize all details. At present, this semi-automatic vacuum packaging machine perfectly aligns with their current requirements, delivering efficiency and reliability for their packaging operations.

The fully optimized lettuce washing line meets the customer’s 150 kg/hour capacity, ensuring top standards of cleanliness, freshness, and safety. If you’re ready to boost your vegetable processing efficiency and deliver fresh, safe produce, contact us today. Our expert team is here to help you create a reliable, hygienic solution—perfect for supermarkets, restaurants, or direct-to-consumer sales. Reach out now and let’s elevate your business together!