Logging tag tells the truth about temperature

The SL150 is a novel portable temperature data logging tag, constructed from food grade polystyrene.

The SL150 is a novel portable temperature data logging tag, constructed from food grade polystyrene.

It is designed to be placed with temperature-sensitive products such as food to record the temperature during processing, transportation and storage.

The SL150, which has a measuring range from -30 to +100C, is only 10mm thick and powered by a long-life internal battery.

It provides a secure time and date temperature profile and uses a patented wireless induction technique for setup and data download.

This ensures there are no plugs, sockets or crevices of any kind that could harbour bacteria.

In one recent application, a containerised cargo of star fruit was due to arrive direct in to Felixstowe, but the consignment went into Rotterdam and was then put in to a smaller vessel.

The consignment arrived at Felixstowe three days later and was transferred to road transport for delivery to its destination.

Star fruit should be carried at 6C to ensure that it does not ripen too quickly.

The data showed that the cargo had been loaded at 9C and that during the voyage the ship's refrigeration system had reduced the temperature of the consignment to between 7.5 and 8C.

When the container was loaded on to the vehicle and the refrigeration system in the container switched on the temperature of the consignment was reduced to the specified 6C.

When the consignment was received the temperature was checked and initially the recipient was satisfied because the consignment had arrived within the specified temperature.

Later, when the fruit went on sale it was discovered that there was a problem, and a significant loss of product.

But as a result of interrogating the data logger, a successful insurance claim was made.

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