More tattoo news in packaging...

Those little stickers that you find on every piece of fruit you buy may become a thing of the past. The FDA is set to approve a tattoo-like label for fruit and vegetables. The laser etching technology developed by a former University of Florida scientist uses a "carbon dioxide laser beam to etch information on the first few outer cells of the fruit and vegetables." PLU stickers can become detached, or can be TOO difficult to remove by consumers, or may even spoil produce. The tattoo will improve security of produce, as well as track its "progress through the food chain." Consumers will undoubtedly be happy to see those little stickers disappear. In Japan, apples have already been sold with scanable bar coding etched into the wax on their skin. But the laser etching proposed in the US will probably not use wax coating to cover the laser label.

Source: www.foodproductiondaily.com