Sherwood revolutionises product marking

Sherwood Technology, the colour-change specialist, has launched DataLase Edible, a revolutionary solution for laser marking edible products such as fresh produce, hard-shelled confectionery and pharmaceutical tablets.

This new generation, patented additive allows a safe, high contrast image to be formed directly onto edible products. The process utilises a unique chemistry that reacts with a beam of low power laser light; changing colour, and thereby creating a positive image. Due to the sensitivity of the coating to the laser light, only a fraction of the laser energy that would be required to etch or burn an image into the surface is used, preserving the integrity of the surface of the edible material being marked.

DataLase Edible allows an expanding range of edible products, for example eggs and fruit, to be marked using CO2 lasers. The additives, which come in the form of a dry powder or water-based solution, are applied to the surface of the food product via a spray system or by tumble coating and then marked by a low power CO2 laser. The coating then undergoes a safe colour-change process, creating a high contrast, stable image that is produced from 100% edible components.

Traditionally, fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables are identified using pressure sensitive pre-printed labels that are subject to a range of limitations, including a tendency to peel off the produce and leave an adhesive residue on the skin. In addition, it is feared that the labels harbour bacterial growth and are a potential choking hazard for infants.

In the pharmaceutical market, the goals of eliminating medication errors and counterfeiting and enhancing traceability are driving the industry towards 'on-product' marking of tablets and capsules with precise details relating to the medication, dosage, origin, and patient.

Additional benefits of Datalase Edible include lower overhead costs and the elimination of energy consuming labelling systems.