The Color of Confidence

Published: February 01, 2009

OnVu time-temperature indicators (TTIs), developed through a partnership managed by Ciba, Basel, Switzerland, are supplied as labels (and potentially as printing inks) to show whether a packaged product has been correctly stored and transported, i.e., whether it is safe to consume.

 The label consists of a reference color and a TTI. Once activated by a suitable light source, the TTI first becomes dark and then grows progressively lighter as time passes and also if the ambient temperature rises. When the active color attains the same shade as the reference, the product has reached the end of its shelf life.