Consumers are often unsure on product freshness besides reading the ‘best before date’from product labels as it does not provide information on how the food was handled prior entering the cooling chain. Now there are new labels to improve cooling chain logistics and increase consumer protection. Scientists at the University of Bayreuth, Germany have created a substance that could change its chemical structure, from colorless to blue, when it receives energy in the form of ultra-violet (UV light. Over time, this reaction would be reversed independently. The change from blue to colorless occurs more quickly when there is high ambient temperature. This procedure is part of a family of temperature time indicators (TTI) and it is the basis for new TTI system labels, which serve as an accompanying freshness monitor for products in the supply chain. “The labels add value to the best before date information as it proves that minced meat is permanently chilled according to the regulations, for example,” says Martin Arndt,manager of technology at Bizerba.
Label technology using color indicators
A pictogram is used on the label for easy identification of product freshness. A symbol contains the activated blue substance at the labeling stage. The symbol would fade from blue to colorless over time when the product is out of date or exposed to high temperatures. Patent owner of the technology FreshPoint is currently manufacturing the color for the industry. Bizerba and its subsidiary company P+E are producing the TTI-system labels for labeling of industrial product
packaging. During labeling, the intensity of the UV light on the
substance is varied to suit products with various shelf lives. Each label is sealed with a UV filter upon activation to prevent recharging of the TTIs and the forging of labels.
Bizerba has also included a 2D-matrix-code to each label. It contains information such as activation date and time, batch number,temperature specification, best before date, and clear product number.This allows product traceability; reveals weak areas in cooling chain,and manage costs effectively. The TTI system label has also received the International Forum Design packaging award 2008 at Interpak in Germany.
The new activation and application technology allows mass use of the procedure. The label is affixed with a fully automatic pricer from the company’s GLM-I series (conveying and labeling system) in the labeling process like a normal label and receives the UV filter. Blow and stamp applicators could be used according to requirements.
Devices on a labeling line could be controlled via a central touch screen operating terminal.
Labels could be printed up to a print width of 168mm, with a print resolution of eight points per mm. The print speed of 250 mm/s allows labeling of up to 150 packages per minute. GLM-I could be operated remotely over the Internet using the system’s E-Service. Connection is done alternately through a serial interface and transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). Maintenance could therefore take place without on-site intervention.
www.bizerba.com
