Time on their side

Nestlé is to begin trials of UK-developed food labels that use membrane technology to give a clear warning of when a product is no longer fit for consumption.

The food giant will begin full-scale trials of Timestrip labels this autumn. They will be placed on a branded product, as yet unidentified, that is used by restaurants and caterers supplied by its Nestlé Foodservices UK division.

From next year, EU rules state that records must be kept of the opening of all perishables used in food establishments so that they can be destroyed once their consume-by period has passed.

According to Hertfordshire-based Timestrip, the system should also help reduce food waste, as staff will be able to see at a glance which of several identical products has been opened first and so must be used up.

The company later hopes to apply the technology to a wide range of time-sensitive products, including industrial components with a limited lifespan.