Vitsab International AB has launched a colour-changing indicator designed to monitor the time and temperature of airline meals and perishable catering throughout the supply chain.
The Freshtag Flight Label uses so-called Stoplight Technology to provide a visual safety cue for onboard crew.
The labels remain green under safe conditions but transition to yellow and eventually become red if temperature abuse is detected based on specific product guidelines.
This system allows flight attendants to check meal safety at a glance without the need for additional tools, technical setup or language-specific instructions.
The labels are designed to track cumulative temperature from the initial preparation kitchen through to the flight. They can be applied to food trolleys and carts and are compatible with refrigerated, frozen or passive galley storage environments.
The system is compliant with the World Food Safety Guidelines for Airline Catering (step 25, CCP2), as well as HACCP, ISO9001, and relevant FDA and EU regulations.
According to Vitsab, which has been working in the field for 20 years, the technology supports airline sustainability and efficiency goals.
By identifying which sealed perishable items have maintained their integrity, the system can help reduce food waste by allowing for reuse on later flights or donation to charity.
Furthermore, the use of these indicators may allow airlines to use ambient stowage and lightweight trolleys instead of heavy onboard chilling equipment, potentially reducing aircraft weight and fuel consumption.
