The invention relates to a method for prolonging the shelf life of agricultural and food products placed in a large storage room having a volume greater than 200 m3, wherein said method comprises treating the air in said storage room by means of withdrawing air from the storage room, passing the air through a gas-liquid contactor, circulating an electrolyzed halide solution through said gas-liquid contactor, directing the treated air back into the storage room, wherein an acid is intermittently added to said circulated halide solution. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method is also provided.