Fresh-Check Indicator Labels Assure eatZi's Customers Freshness

Carlos Ayon, cold packing supervisor for eatZi's Market and Bakery in Houston, applies Fresh-Check Time and Temperature Indicators to take-home products at the new eatZi's in New York City.

eatZi's Fresh-Check TTIs were invented by LifeLines Technology of Morris Plains, NJ. The indicators are small, self-adhesive labels applied by the manufacturer to the exterior of individual packages or cases of perishable foods in order to monitor product shelf life and freshness. eatZi's sous chefs apply them to the packaging of their "Chef Crafted Meals for the Taking" when they are prepared. This labeling technology allows for consumers to check the freshness of their meals at the time of purchase, after they've brought them home and right up until the time of use.

Indicator Triggered by Time, Temperature Exposure
The Fresh-Check TTI is presented in a bull's-eye configuration with a color-changing dot in the center (Figure 1). The gradual and irreversible darkening of the dot occurs as a result of the cumulative time and temperature exposure received by the meal. The higher the temperature, the faster the change will take place; the cooler the temperature, the slower changes occur. Therefore, as long as the dot in the center is not darker than the outer ring, a consumer is assured the product is fresh.

Each indicator is scientifically tailored to a specific product's shelf-life characteristics. TTIs serve as a reliable way of monitoring the remaining shelf-life of a perishable product than simply a "sell-by" or "use-by" date. "The Fresh-Check label was designed with more than just product freshness in mind," says Stephen Fields, president of LifeLines. "Often times, for example, a perfectly good carton of milk is tossed out because of a stamped sell-by date. Many consumers don't realize that milk can be used for up to seven days past that date."

Freshness Monitored Throughout Life-Cycle
The Fresh-Check labels monitor freshness based on actual temperature during distribution. "The eatZi's Fresh-Check Time and Temperature Indicator was designed as a freshness watchdog," notes Fields. "We can now offer eatZi's and its guests the most effective way of monitoring freshness for their take-home meals both on the store shelf and once it's left the store. This way, a customer can monitor the freshness of their meal up until the time they're ready to enjoy it."

The indicators can be printed either with simple instructional text on the label, or without text. LifeLines' customers using the TTIs can opt to incorporate instructional text in the graphics on their packaging. Customer-specific indicators that include company identity and logos can also be designed and manufactured.

The Fresh-Check Indicator label can be used on various fresh food products, including dairy, allowing consumers to gauge freshness with a quick visual inspection.

LifeLines' TTIs can be found on a variety of products in national U.S. retail specialty supermarkets. Besides eatZi's Market and Bakery, which has locations in New York City, Dallas, Houston and Atlanta and uses the labels on its entire line of prepared meats, Trader Joe's, with locations on the west coast, New Jersey and Boston, uses them on its packaged fresh meats. The Fresh-Check labels are also currently being used in European supermarkets, including Monoprix in France, Continente in Spain and Sainsbury in the United Kingdom. The U.S. Army also has picked up on the use of TTI labels for monitoring its Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) rations.

LifeLines Technology, Inc. was co-founded in 1982 by its president, Stephen Fields, as a business unit in Allied Signal's Corporate New Ventures Group. The company has operated as a private corporation since its spinoff in 1987. LifeLines' labels are sold under the names Fresh-Check to the retail and food service industry and HEATmarker to the medical and health industry.

For more information: LifeLines Technology, Inc., Tel: 973-984-6000; Fax: 973-984-1520; Website: www.lifelinestechnology.com.