Sainsbury's launched a smart ham packaging system that includes a label that alerts consumers about an upcoming expiry. While an unchanging "best before" sticker is something that consumers have to consciously remember to check from time to time, the smart label boasts an active, color-changing design.
After the package of sliced ham has been opened, the smart expiry-monitoring label will gradually change from yellow to purple to reflect the time that has passed since the initial opening. While most food labels do not take into account external factors, the smart label boasts the ability to change at a slower rate if it is kept in a fridge with a cooler temperature. As such, the smart ham packaging design has the potential to increase consumer food safety and limit household food waste.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Smart Packaging
- The use of smart labels that actively change color to indicate expiration dates is a disruptive innovation opportunity in the packaging industry.
- Food Safety Monitoring
- The development of smart labels that can take into account external factors like temperature to accurately reflect food freshness presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the food industry.
- Reducing Food Waste
- Integrating smart expiration-monitoring labels in food packaging can help reduce household food waste, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity for sustainable packaging solutions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Packaging
- The packaging industry can explore innovative solutions by incorporating smart labels that actively monitor and indicate expiration dates.
- Food
- The food industry can benefit from the use of smart labels that accurately reflect food freshness and safety, promoting consumer trust and reducing wastage.
- Sustainability
- Smart packaging solutions that help reduce food waste align with sustainability goals, making it a disruptive innovation opportunity for the sustainability industry.
