UK foodservice distributor to stock adopt Timestrip smart labels

Timestrip has announced that UK foodservice distributor 3663 First for Foodservice is now stocking and distributing the Timestrip smart labeling system. 

Timestrips are disposable smart labels that monitor how long a product has been open or how long it has been in use. They can measure elapsed time from minutes up to over a year. 

Over recent months Timestrip has been working with a number of contract caterers who supply services to the UK care home and education sectors. The trials are reported to have confirmed that Timestrip is a marked improvement to existing food safety systems, which typically involve either hand-written labels or the application of color-coded labels. By contrast, there was no ambiguity over product life with Timestrip, and labor time was significantly reduced. Moreover Timestrip dramatically reduced levels of food waste and achieved net cost savings in the kitchen by enabling staff to effectively apply ‘first in first out’ principles. 

Caterplus Services, a provider of catering and hotel services to the care market, trialed the Timestrip system in a number of key sites. Sales director Ian Clementson commented: ‘We have rigorously trialed the Timestrip system over recent months, having adopted it in a number of trial sites. We believe that Timestrip complements our existing safety policies and can provide real benefit in further assuring food safety. We plan to implement Timestrip across our portfolio of care homes and educational establishments in the UK. Timestrip is a very effective system that makes economical sense and helps us in our provision of great and safe food to residents.’ 

In response to the success of trials with large contract catering companies such as Caterplus Services, 3663 will list a full range of Timestrips with dispensing system, providing nationwide availability not just for health and education customers but also for hotels, restaurants and quick service restaurant chains. 

Reuben Isbitsky, joint CEO of Timestrip, commented: ‘The Food Standards Agency highlights the need for protecting the elderly and children from food poisoning, and health and education managers recognize that such incidences can be catastrophic for their reputations. We have been testing the Timestrip proposition in this sector with leading companies such as Caterplus Services and have now shown, through our customers' experiences, that Timestrip not only enhances food safety but also provides a return on investment through the savings generated by waste reduction.’