Custom designed labels could be in demand among food manufacturers after a report found that additional features printed on to them could help to boost sales.

The Freedonia Group in the US said it believes that multi-functional devices such as oxygen scavengers, authenticity stamps or disposable thermometers will become more important in the coming years as products are developed with longer and longer shelf lives.

"Not only will processors use labels to establish a distinctive brand image, but they may also increasingly utilise [them to] indicate product temperature and freshness," it commented.

The organisation added that sales could be increased if consumers can see the items they are buying are of a good quality.

This could be particularly relevant in this country if the government scraps printed labels featuring best before dates, as has been suggested previously.

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman announced earlier this year that the coalition is looking into this development in a bid to decrease the amount of food thrown away each year.

Denny Bros Ltd, 08 September 2011