Sardus to check refrigeration chain with help of intelligent label

Listed food-products group AB Sardus has initiated testing of an intelligent label for refrigerated goods that can reveal whether the refrigeration chain has been broken. The label, which has been developed by Lund-based Bioett, consists of an electric circuit and a heat-sensitive enzyme. When the label is read with a special hand-held scanner, it is possible to determine when and where the chain has been broken. The advantages are that the producer and the other parties active in the chain can identify and remedy any fault, and that a more accurate best-before date can be displayed if the producer knows that the refrigeration chain is not broken. Sardus is currently testing the label on blood-sausage producer Gea’s catering packs. "The reason for testing the intelligent label is that we want to further refine our control of the refrigeration chain,” says Lars Ohlin, responsible for business development at Sardus. “We already have an efficiently functioning refrigeration chain, which is guaranteed through the stringent routines we apply internally and as a result of detailed contracts with our carriers." "We started development of the smart label in 2000,” says Bioett’s President Bengt Sahlberg.” Full-scale tests were started during 2002. If the results are positive, Bioett expects to launch the new label on a large scale during 2005. In addition to Sardus, Findus and Skånemejerier are currently using our system." Helingborg, August 26, 2004 AB Sardus (publ) Ragnar Bringert, President For further information, please contact AB Sardus: Lars Ohlin, business development manager, telephone +46 42-37 02 50, or Bioett AB: Bengt Sahlberg, President, telephone +46 46 23 50 70.