Checkpoint Systems food label series receives dual certification

4210 EP Food Label is a food-safe RF EAS label that can be applied at source or in-store, with shrinkage proven to decline. 4210 EP Food Label is also said to be the industry’s smallest food specific label. The label is suited for grocery retailers that need to protect high risk meat or cheese products. A new variant for use on frozen food is currently in its trial phase and has also been awarded double certification. This product uses a unique adhesive that is designed to bond with frozen food and UV-coated Mylar packaging.

Certification from independent inspection and testing consultancy TUV Rheinland and ISEGA means consumers can safely microwave their purchases, while retailer’s products are protected against any contamination from the label’s adhesive.

After thorough testing, ISEGA found that the Checkpoint Systems 4210 EP Food Label guarantees that potentially harmful chemicals do not come into contact with meat products.

Flavio Musci, director of EAS consumables in the EMEA region at Checkpoint Systems, explained: ‘When you look at a piece of meat wrapped in store, you assume the packaging is a barrier. However, at a molecular level, it is not. It’s deliberately designed to let oxygen in and out to stop the meat from discoloring. Certain compounds in label adhesives can migrate through the packaging and breach current EU regulations on ‘articles intended to come into contact with food.’

Extensive TUV Rheinland testing revealed security labels from other manufacturers showed browning around the edges during microwaving, and in some cases caught fire during the process, making the product potentially unsafe for consumers. The Checkpoint Systems 4210 EP Food Label series passed all tests without incident.

‘Latest research has shown that food products, including luxury meats, are increasingly being singled out by dishonest shoppers,’ added Musci. ‘Over the festive period retailers will see a host of products targeted. Tagging @Source [a source tagging program offered by Checkpoint Systems] will enable stores to reduce shrink through theft and maximize sales during the busy seasonal months.’

Another new member to the Food Label series is the 4215 label, also dual certified, and which can be integrated into in-store fresh meat counter label printers. Trial results show a minimum 40 percent reduction in shrink on selected cut and wrapped meats at counters since introducing the integrated RF technology, potentially saving supermarkets hundreds of thousands of pounds annually.