B&R FArms
package design
the PROCESS
Grocery stores have been torn between waste and use by way of use by dates on their packaging. Past date meat is a scary thing and avoided even on the day of date printed on the package.
The traditional meat freshness determination methods were sensory identification, physical detection, chemical detection, microbial appraisal methods, and so on. These methods had many shortcomings such as their long experiment cycle, tedious steps, and environmental requirements.
A fast and intuitive meat freshness detection method is required. With the development of gas sensor technology, using gas sensors to detect food freshness has become possible. Meat is composed of water, protein, fat, and some carbohydrates; enzymes and bacteria will decompose the meat into volatile gases.
The protein will decompose into ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and ethanethiol; the fat will decompose into aldehydes and aldehyde acid; and the carbohydrate will decompose into alcohol, ketone, and carboxylic acid. In the process of spoilage, these gases concentrations will increase exponentially. Using special gas sensors can allow the detection of these gases and so the judgment of the meat's freshness. Temperature and humidity have a large effect on the microorganisms that create spoilage.
Through combining gas, temperature, and humidity sensors, we can make the detection more accurate
The Solution
Through sensor technology and an easy to read colour system the store and the consumer can rest assured that the meats sold will be safe based on the sensors on the package. The sensors on the package will begin as black regular marks which will be noticeable on the front of the package. Once any bacteria or gas are detected at the predetermined safe level for at least 2 days shelf life left the sensor will change from black to green. As a further incentive to not waste any product the consumer will receive a discount when the label has changed color.
A food package design that lets you know when the food is actually still good and and actually just bad.
Due to such clear vision for the onset and excellent preliminary sketches the final design was quite easy. The animal on the package will change colors as the gases in the package build. The color will match with the colors in the key below the animal image.
I try to always sketch out what my vision is and work off that initial idea.
