‘Bumpy’ labels designed to give consumers a better idea of when food has gone off are being tested amid hopes they could help cut down on items being wasted.
The labels, developed by UK start-up company Mimica, aim to give people a tactile indication of when the food has spoiled through the use of small bumps. When the label is smooth it means the food is still fresh, but when bumps can be felt on the label this means the product is no longer safe to eat.
‘Mimica labels truly innovative’
It is hoped the labels – which are now going through consumer research with dairy firm Arla Foods UK – will make it easier for consumers to know if they can eat something without just relying on a use-by date, and in turn result in less food being thrown away prematurely.
Tomas Pietrangeli, managing director for Arla Foods UK, said: “We’re hoping that consumer research will suggest this should go to a wider trial.
“Mimica’s indicators are truly innovative and could not only help reduce food waste but also help those with visual impairments identify, through touch, when food is no longer safe to eat.”
The indicator label, known as Mimica Touch, works by reacting to changes in the packaged food and to temperature changes. These result in a breakdown of the gelatine layer which turns the surface from smooth to bumpy.
Consumer research
Mimica founder Solveiga Pakštaitė said: “We are really excited to be working so closely with a highly innovative organisation like Arla to bring accurate food spoilage information to consumers to provide peace of mind and the confidence to use food for longer.
“It’s important to Mimica that we work with companies that share our social values and vision.” Arla Foods – a dairy co-operative owned by 11,200 farmers – said it will work with Mimica over the coming months to research consumer reaction before they decide whether or not to take the product trials further by placing the labels on packs sold to customers.
Source: Inews