A new kind of sensor could soon be added to the peelable labels of food products in order to indicate when they need to be thrown away.
Scientists at Queen's University in Belfast have invented the gadget, which turns blue in the presence of high levels of oxygen, something that indicates spoilage, the Royal Society of Chemistry reports.
Although techniques have previously been invented to monitor oxygen levels, they have always been too expensive to use on a large scale.
Developer Andrew Mills says his sensor is cheap and easy to read, making it ideal for the food industry.
"Many of us throw away food simply because we are unsure of its freshness - a 'consume within' indicator would help address this issue," he added.
According to Love Food, Hate Waste, Britain throws away 8.3 million tons of food every year, costing the average family £50 a month and causing serious environmental implications.
Denny Bros Ltd, 14 November 2011
