Chemical-based temperature indicators have been around for many years, but vendors continue to refine the technology of these single-use products.

The TransTracker line of chemical temperature indicators, manufactured by Temptime and distributed by Cold Chain Technologies, can be placed inside secondary packaging or shippers for products that must be kept within a specific temperature range throughout distribution. Products include medical products, pharmaceuticals, and food.

The devices monitor temperature ranges throughout shipping and short-term storage, irreversibly changing color to flag freeze events, heat excursions (temperatures outside the acceptable range), and/or cumulative exposure as defined by the brand owner.

The TransTracker CF is a dual-indicator that monitors both freeze events and potentially damaging heat excursions. The indicator card contains a LIMITmarker F indicator, with technology based on the melting point of heat-fusible materials. The marker’s color changes from white to red/pink to show the temperature has gone above a predetermined threshold.

To signal freezing temperatures, the TransTracker CF indicator also includes a FREEZEmarker indicator whose green circle changes to cloudy white when the indicator has experienced a freezing temperature for a short period.