Japanese design studio TO-GENKYO has invented a very clever meat label that helps buyers determine the freshness of the packaged meat before they buy it.

The design was featured at this year’s Good Design Awards in Tokyo. The label is an hour-glass shaped label, printed with a special ammonia-detecting ink. The ink darkens according to how much ammonia is released inside the package. As the meat ages, it releases ammonia. Meat that is too old for safe consumption, or meat that is completely spoiled, can’t be scanned because the barcode is part of the label and it will turn so dark, the item can’t be sold. This is a great invention that helps protect the buyer from buying old meat and possibly consuming a dangerous meat product.
The lighter the label, the fresher the meat will be prior to purchase.

The TO-GENKYO label will help take the guess work out of buying meat and it is definitely a new invention worth further examination.