A package reports on cold chain breakdown

International. R&D Smart Cold Pack is a new type of packaging that has the property of informing consumers about the cold chain process that the product it contains has had. It works by using smart inks that react to breaks in the cold chain of food and are sensitive to temperature changes. The technological development is an initiative of the Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistics (Itene), in partnership with the Institute of Optics, Color and Image (Aido). This new packaging will provide information on the temperatures to which the product has been subjected throughout the supply chain. This would ensure the suitability of refrigerated or frozen foods, with the aim of improving user confidence. Likewise, the precursors of this advance have reported that "it would serve for consumers themselves to control the maintenance of products once they have acquired them and would allow a reduction in costs through the integration of indicators into the traditional production process."