LITMUS Food Quality Indicator
General Information
LITMUS FQI produces indicators which are a breakthrough technology offering simple, quick, and effective methods for determining the DIRECT quality of food products. LITMUS Food Quality Indicators (FQI) change colors based upon the quality of various foods for the entire supply chain, from processors to the kitchen table.
Food Facts
Food contamination and spoilage is a global problem and a critical health risk. Reportedly each year in the United States:
- 70 - 80 Million people develop gastro-intestinal illnesses.
- 300,000 - 400,000 are hospitalized.
- Approximately 5000 die each year.
- Health costs are over 500 Million US Dollars annually.
Globally, food spoilage represents 18 - 20% of the food supply chain. FQIs will transform the food industry by preventing illnesses and death.
The two current methods for evaluating the freshness and quality of perishable food are subjective, indirect and do not DIRECTLY indicate food quality:
1. Human Sensory Analysis - Sniffing, tactile and visual examinations by trained specialists:
- Highly Subjective.
- Time Consuming.
- Very little of the food supply chain is actually inspected.
2. Time & Temperature Indicators:
- Only record time and temperature exposure of food products during transit.
- Address only the intermediate supply chain.
- Do not indicate DIRECT food quality or fitness of food products for human consumption.
Product Information
Retail Indicator
For retail outlets that sell food in case-ready packages. Retail indicators suit the needs for suppliers and retailers wanting to build premium brand equity and customer loyalty into their products. The quality of their food is assured when this indicator is included in their packaged food. The indicator is easy for the customer to understand: Yellow is "Best", any other color "Do Not Eat".
Shipping Indicator
A credit card sized indicator is inserted into closed shipping containers at the point of origination and is effective for frozen, on ice, individually frozen and in the round shipments which are sealed in a closed container. Results are qualitative and designed for "long term" deliveries of one week or more. Shipping indicator detection provides an opportunity to recoup potentially significant losses by better managing the food chain.
Quick Stick Indicator
Used at multiple stages throughout the food supply chain. Indicator requires only 30 minutes or less and provides a qualitative assessment of quality. Indicator is perfect for the food handlers who want a quick and accurate determination before offering products for sale.
Bulk Pump and Straw Indicator
This indicator is used primarily by regulators, brokers, laboratories, processors and anyone receiving large quantities of food in bulk quantities. The developing agents change the color of the indicator [straw] from yellow to blue and the length of color change is a direct measure of the quality of the food. The results are quantitative and can be viewed quickly, usually within three minutes. The benefits are more sales via assured higher quality, reduced liability and less shrinkage via quality control.
Benefits
LITMUS FQI provides revolutionary indicators that quickly and easily indicate DIRECT food quality by changing colors. The indicators are:
- Inexpensive
- Can be configured/calibrated to suit customer needs
- DIRECT indicator of the quality of food
- Indicator color change is simple to interpret
- Allows timely and accurate decision making
How LITMUS FQI Indicators Work
FQIs are specially calibrated with proprietary and patented developing agents that "measure" the concentration of decomposition gases. The food indicators are designed to change color when the food is no longer suitable for consumption. LITMUS FQI has the exclusive world-wide license for the commercialization and distribution of the indicators.