A Field Test Study on a Dynamic Shelf Life Service for Perishables

Purpose: To investigate the possibilities, risks and requirements of a dynamic shelf life service – a technological innovation focusing on minimizing food waste in supply chains (SC). Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured, open-ended interviews with SC actors have been used to identify the requirements, possibilities and risks with a dynamic shelf life service. Field tests have been conducted to investigate practical implications and effects of small temperature variations on shelf life. The field tests involved sensors based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Findings: The results show that a DSLP service holds great potentials. The field tests revealed that shelf life predictions are sensitive to small temperature differences along the cold chain. Results from the interviews confirm the importance of accuracy. The interviews also emphasize the importance of sharing costs among the involved actors. Research limitations/implications: Key aspects from 11 SC actors concerning dynamic shelf life prediction in cold chains are provided. The field tests involve a SC from production to household. Practical implications: Implementation of a dynamic shelf life service can increase visibility and information flow within SCs. The system can also be integrated with companies’ business systems creating new business opportunities and reducing manual work by automatically alerting quality fluctuations of food products. Original/value: Quantitative and qualitative data from 11 SC actors are provided. This information, together with the experiences reported from the field tests, have the potential to help replacing dysfunctional date labelling systems and reduce food waste