A clever label that changes colour to indicate the ripeness of fruit has been developed by two New Zealand HortResearch scientists in partnership with label manufacturer, Jenkins Group.

The ripeSense* sensor label is world-first technology that enables shoppers to choose fruit that best appeals to their taste. It is currently being applied to pears and works by detecting aroma compounds given off the fruit as it ripens, changing the label through a range of vibrant colours.

Shoppers can choose to either buy pears that are ready to eat immediately or firmer fruit for eating in a few days. Further research is proposed to develop sensor labels for summerfruit, kiwifruit, avocado and melons.

HortResearch scientists Dr Keith Sharrock and Dr Ron Henzell worked with Jenkins Group to turn their invention into a commercially viable packaging system and say there is nothing else in the world that measures ripeness in this way.

Jenkins Group believes the ripeSense* sensor and the four-piece packing punnet, which has food safety advantages as well as the ripeness indicator, can considerably increase fruit sales by making pears more convenient to purchase.

Technology New Zealand, which invested $96,000 through its Technology for Business Growth Scheme (TBG), was the catalyst for the commercial development of ripeSense*.  Investment Manager Lins Kerr says the world-first innovation is a huge step up the ladder for the print company and takes Jenkins Group into the field of active packaging, allowing consumers to see at a glance the freshness of a food product.

"This sensor puts us into the realm where we can begin to develop packaging that gives the buyer instant messages, simply by the label changing colour," says Jenkins Horticultural Division Manager, Cameron McInness.

Declining global consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has been concerning health professionals and produce trade leaders for some time. In New Zealand, the produce industry has been promoting the eating of more fruit and vegetables through a "5 + a day" campaign. Convenience and taste have been identified as key drivers to encourage increased consumption.

New Zealand Produce Industry leader Stuart Johnston of Progressive Enterprises Limited has been advocating improving the taste of the produce his organisation offers to consumers. During September the new label was trialled in three Progressive Enterprises stores in Auckland. The new technology is now being trialled on Green Anjou pears in Portland supermarkets in the US, in conjunction with Pear Bureau Northwest 

The new label technology is the result of five years development by HortResearch scientists, funded largely by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Dr Sharrock says a key reason for developing ripeSense* for pears is the difficulty shoppers have determining fruit ripeness. Pears, unlike apples, need to soften before they achieve their maximum flavour and shoppers often squeeze and damage the fruit as they make their selection. The clamshell pack, moulded to the shape of the pears, was developed to trap the aroma necessary for ripeSense* to function. It also protects them from crushing and bruising, permitting retailers to sell tender juicy ripe fruit without wastage.

"We see this as an example of a company stepping up its research, pulling in expertise and developing a strategic relationship with a science partner, HortResearch, to improve its own skills and capability," says Lins Kerr.