According to a Sky News interview with a lorry driver, not only have British beef products been contaminated with horse DNA, but there has also been a failure to adhere to a variety of UK food safety guidelines, including controlled temperatures during transport.

The lorry driver gives a vivid description of seafood being left to spoil in the sun for hours, being left to rot in the sun, before being shipped off to be sold to consumers.

Food quality can be compromised if it is not stored and shipped within a specified temperature range. When breaches of safe temperatures occur, bacteria can reach high levels, leading to illness or death when the food is consumed.

Temperature controlled shipments for chilled food

In England, most chilled food is regulated to be shipped and stored at 8˚C /46˚F and should not be exposed to other temperatures for more than two hours.

Timestrip offers an easy, cost-effective way for supermarkets, vendors, suppliers and lorry drivers like the one in the interview to identify when temperature control regulations have been breached. Timestrip's range of cold chain indicators can let you know at one glance if food products have spent time in an unsafe temperature range and can help both shipping and food retail companies comply with the UK government's food safety regulations.

Timestrip UK Limited (London), a global leader in the manufacture of innovative low cost temperature monitoring indicators, has today announced a strategic product development partnership with Topa Packaging BV (Netherlands).

The two companies will be launching their ‘first-of-its-kind’ self-monitoring cold chain package system at the IQPC Cool Chain Europe event in Basel (Switzerland) starting January 28th 2013. The initiative will see the existing Topa ClimateBox™, which maintains internal payload temperatures during extended transit times, paired with the Timestrip Complete™ temperature indicator which has been designed to monitor the critical +2°C to +8°C thresholds.

Cold chain transit solution

Validated together these two technologies offer a unique packaging solution configured to deliver a double redundancy system. This configuration represents the first product on the market to show validated proof of end-to-end temperature control, with clear activation at the point of packing and an accurate displays of ascending or descending temperature breaches that have occurred in transit – clearly displayed on the Timestrip Complete™ temperature indicator when consignments are checked in and unpacked.

Commenting on this exciting cold chain joint venture, Dan Hafen, Director of Sales and Marketing for Timestrip said:

We are thrilled to be working with industry experts Topa Packaging. Their reputation in the global cold chain market is well earned, with a long history of innovation matched by a dedication to customer support and relentless focus on quality control – these are shared values and we look forward to developing new initiatives as our relationship builds.

See this exclusive packaging collaboration on display next week at Cool Chain Europe- just stop by the Topa Packaging booth.

LG is a cosmetic company creating unique formulations with natural ingredients, passing on the lessons of nature in the way certain treatments work best at chilled temperatures.

Temperature skincare storage reminder

They want their consumers to experience their products in optimum condition and chose Timestrip to help communicate the time-sensitive nature of the Frostine’s Icemetic range.

See their custom Timestrip design and unique cosmetic integration from 1:50-3:00 in the video above.

Timestrip indicators have been added to the base of glass bottles used across the Frostine’s range by LG cosmetics as it launches the revolutionary new brand across Korea in one of its biggest multi-channel campaigns of 2012.

LG is the second biggest cosmetic brand owner in Korea and the Frostine’s brand extends its reputation for innovation in the sector.

Fridge storage timer for skincare

The Frostine's range comprises toners, eye creams, masks and moisturizers with a unique formulation that requires the products to be kept refrigerated at all times. In addition to the chilled characteristics, some of the creams and toners lose their efficacy after 6 weeks, so each bottle comes with a Timestrip applied to the base so that consumers can trigger the timing label and check the product integrity at a glance each time they are used.

The contract order comprised of 100,000 six-week indicators, with the Frostine’s branding overprinted onto each Timestrip.

The range is being retailed through selected stores and via the Frostine’s website, with consumers able to buy range collections shipped in their own mini-refrigerator. Products in the range start at around £30 each.

As of July 1st 2012, all healthcare cargo shipments must be affixed with the IATA Time and Temperature Sensitive label to be in compliance with Chapter 17 of the Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR).

What is an IATA Time and Temperature Sensitive label?

It is a 100mm x 100mm sticker which indicates that a shipment is time and temperature sensitive and has a space to identify the external threshold temperature range of the products in the shipment.

When does it need to be used?
On all temperature controlled pharmaceutical air cargo/freight shipments, both domestic and international. The PCR regulations do not apply to airmail, parcel or courier bags.

Who is responsible for using the label?
The shipper, or (if one is being used) a shipping agent, is responsible for affixing the labels prior to shipment.

Why do you need to comply?
The IATA represents 240 airlines. If your healthcare industry temperature-shipment is not appropriately labeled, these airlines can refuse to accept the shipment.

How can Timestrip® help your healtcare industry shipments?
The IATA label will help improve the awareness of temperature safe products, but Timestrip® can complete the supply chain with visual confirmation that the shipments have been kept at safe temperatures.

We offer a variety of time and temperature monitoring systems for the healthcare industry that can be used in conjunction with the IATA label for complete temperature monitoring solution. Our Timestrip Plus™ ascending temperature breach indicators come in a variety of threshold temperatures, while our Timestrip Minus™ indicators can visually indicate when your shipment has been frozen.

For those needing the ultimate supply chain management product, try Timestrip Complete™ which combines the best of Timestrip Plus™ and Timestrip Minus™ and can be customized to your shipments needs.

For more information on the IATA labels please visit their site.

Samuel & Sons Seafood is a company that knows a thing or two about delivering fresh seafood – in fact it has built its reputation on delivering freshness and quality.  With a 100 year history it’s clear that this commitment has been successfully passed down through five generations of the D’Angelo family.

The company has grown and prospered from its humble Philadelphia roots to become a major player in the supply of fresh seafood to retailers and restaurants, shipping products to customers across America using air freight and refrigerated vehicles.

Samuels & Son Seafood knows that customer satisfaction leads to customer loyalty, so as their cold chain distribution operations have grown geographically, so has their need to vigilantly monitor product temperatures to protect seafood flavor, texture, appearance and, most importantly, the health of their customers.

Because logistics packaging containers and refrigeration systems are not always reliable, temperatures will vary depending on environmental conditions experienced throughout the cold chain. A lack of understanding in regard to temperature abuse can easily go unnoticed and situations can occur that foster bacterial growth and premature spoilage.

“In the past, when product left our hands it was difficult to tell if unacceptable temperatures had compromised the quality and safety of our product during transit,” said Joe Lasprogata, Vice President of New Product Development and Food Safety for Samuels & Son Seafood.

Seafood shipment TTI from Timestrip

Joe adds: “In accordance with the Fish and Fishery Product Hazards and Controls Guidance, where a reduced oxygen packaged product uses refrigeration as the sole barrier to outgrowth, the application of a Time Temperature Indicator (TTI) on to each consumer package is critical to identifying a temperature breach. If a TTI is used; it should be validated to ensure that it is fit for its intended purpose and verified that it is functional at the time of use.”

After careful assessment of products on the market and with guidance from the experts at temperature monitoring company TipTEMParature Products, Samuel & Sons Seafood have implemented the use of Timestrip®  temperature labels so they now have a fully compliant process for monitoring product as it moves through the cold chain.

The small, single use Timestrip® temperature indicators are adhered directly to the cryovac packaging.  Significantly, and unlike other temperature monitoring products on the market, Timestrip® is the only solution where the activation is visually evident at the point of application.  The indication window showing the “ON” status verifies that the product is functional at the time of use… whereas other products cannot prove their functionality unless a breach occurs.

As Joe correctly states, “The Fish and Fishery Product Hazards and Controls Guidance book says that when using a temperature indicator it needs to be validated and should have verification that it is functional at the time of use. The Timestrip® temperature label was the only available indicator that provided an actual indication of functionality when activated.

Not only that, they give an accurate and irreversible cumulative read-out of how long the temperature breach occurred.  So Timestrip® indicators work on two levels: they tell us when product quality has been compromised and must be removed from the supply chain, but we avoid unnecessary wastage by working within accurately monitored safe limits.

Timestrip® temperature indicators display irreversible evidence of the cumulative time our produce has been exposed to a temperature deviation that extends beyond acceptable limits – and we simply couldn’t find a more cost-effective way of monitoring this,” concluded Joe.

“Selling seafood that has had temperature abuse often results in devastating effects,” said Dan Hafen, Director of Sales and Marketing at Timestrip North America. “Samuels & Son Seafood has gone above and beyond to make sure that their product is temperature controlled, regulated and monitored right across their logistics operations.

Timestrip® Temperature Indicators are helping Samuel & Sons show customers their commitment to delivering freshness and quality has not changed – even after 100 years of supplying the best seafood in the business.”

Together with Samuel and Sons, Timestrip® will be at Booth 1551 during the Boston Seafood Show this weekend (March 11th - 13th 2012).
We look forward to meeting you!

Representing a milestone in cold chain temperature monitoring, Timestrip Complete™ is the first product in its category on the market to actively monitor both high and low threshold temperature breaches.

Combining the Timestrip Plus™ ascending temperature monitoring indicator with the new Timestrip Minus™ descending temperature indicator technology, Timestrip Complete™ gives you true 2-8°C temperature monitoring – from one supplier with one innovative solution.

Timestrip Complete™  effectively removes the need for cold chain managers to source different products from different suppliers, saving them both time and money.

The Timestrip Complete™ indicators are field-activated, allowing them to be shipped at an ambient temperature. Since they do not need to be kept in a temperature controlled environment prior to activation, Timestrip Complete™ indicators reduce the cost of cold chain temperature monitoring even further.

Unlike other cold chain monitors, unique activation confirmation windows let you know the product is 'ON' and working, so you can be positive the Timestrip Complete™ is actively monitoring your products.

Use Timestrip Complete™ to help monitor your temperature-sensitive shipments including:

• Food
• Vaccines
• Drugs
• Blood products
• Implants
• Diagnostic substances
• Ophthalmic solutions
• Intraocular lenses
• Chemicals

For more information check out our Timestrip Complete™ page.

To promote Cool Chain Logistics Europe 2012, IQPC created this useful graphic guide to the state of pharmaceutical cold chain logistics:

According to their survey- Tracking/ Supply Chain Visibility Solutions and Data Monitoring Technology are the top two most important focus areas in pharmaceutical temperature controlled logistics investment.

The Timestrip pharmaceutical solution

Timestrip UK Ltd offers a range of highly-accurate, cost-effective temperature monitoring indicators to provide simple, clear and effective pharmaceutical cold chain monitoring solutions.

To see how our cold chain technology can improve your pharma supply chain, check out our pharmaceutical products.

Timestrip, a leading manufacture of cold chain temperature indicators that provide reliable monitoring of temperature excursions for goods in storage and/or transit announced today that it has signed a strategic distribution partnership agreement with TIP TEMPerature Products, a temperature products distribution company. The partnership allows TIP TEMPerature Products to sell the complete line of Timestrip products. (more…)

Smart label innovator Timestrip is celebrating being nominated as Best New Product at the prestigious SOFHT Awards. The annual Society of Food Hygiene and Technology awards luncheon, now in its 28th year, is the event for the food technology market, attracting delegates from every sector of the food industry.

The 2007 awards will be presented at a formal luncheon at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington on November 15th; present will be more than 300 members and guests from leading players in the food and related industries, both in the UK and internationally.

Timestrip has been nominated in the Best New Product category, sponsored by Sainsbury’s, which covers a broad range of products in food, service and equipment. Timestrip’s ground-breaking label solutions have been recognised as being ‘identifiably different to any existing product’ and ‘providing a new experience’ for customers.

“We’re thrilled to have been nominated for this award,” says Reuben Isbitsky, Joint CEO of Timestrip. “With proven performance already in the food retail and food service markets, this is a further endorsement of the Timestrip® technology.”

The Society of Food Hygiene & Technology is an independent body whose role is to offer support through membership to anyone involved in food hygiene and technology issues. SOFHT is led by a high-profile voluntary board of directors, committed to promoting food hygiene and technology throughout the food chain.

Timestrip’s unique smart labels automatically monitor elapsed time and can work under a wide variety of conditions, from ambient environments to fridge, freezer and extremely high temperatures. Using only food-grade components, the labels have applications in a hugely diverse range of industries, including food retail and food service; cosmetics; medical and pharmaceutical. The technology can be integrated into products or packaging, as well as the more traditional applied label format. Timestrip plc floated on the UK Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2005.