According to Research and Markets, smart labels intended for preventing food spoilage are expected to eclipse $1.6 billion by 2020. In “Spoil Detection Based Smart Label Market by Type and Geography – Global Forecast to 2020”, the market also anticipates a CAGR of 11.80% for the forecast period 2014-2020.

The market is increasing because integrated packaging has the potential to aid in food preparation and preservation. NFC and RFID-based technologies are contributing to the growth, as well.

The report states “increased customer preferences for hygiene of food material and supportive government norms are expected to drive this market in coming years. In addition, various developed economies have framed strict regulations to minimize food wastage. Thus, in order to trace the spoilage of food material; Spoil Detection Based Smart Label is a perfect choice.”

Examples of this trend can be seen around the world. In Sweden, a supermarket in the northern suburb of Stockholm allows consumers to view promotional deals, discounts, competitions and detailed information about products by tapping their phones to NFC tags integrated into price labels.

ICA Norrviken has also placed smart posters outside the store, whereby customers can buy prepackaged grocery bags directly from their mobile device. The supermarket took the initiative in order to gauge customer reaction and potential sales increases.

“We have installed dynamic NFC tags that are integrated with the price tags that sit on the shelves,” Martin Kemeny, CEO at Adfields, explained to NFC World+. “300 tags have been placed in the store. Customers can get more information about the products — detailed lists of content for people with allergies, for instance. As the tags are dynamic and can be redirected, we can add promotional deals, discounts, competitions and other promotional content.

“On launch day, we interviewed the supermarket’s customers and demonstrated how the information system works,” he added. “The feedback was positive and many pointed out the user friendliness of the system. During the next six months, we will work in close cooperation with the supermarket to tweak the system and its content.”