Thermography Improves Operations at Grocery Stores

The old adage goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." This is certainly true with infrared thermography. Possibly one of the most significant applications for thermography is its utilization in grocery stores. This technology allows someone to "see" instantaneously where thermal anomalies exist on the shelves of opentype refrigerated food display cases. The thermographer can save the images to document these observed conditions and later used in reports and for comparison after the refrigeration case has been adjusted. This is especially valuable in checking meats and other more temperature-sensitive and perishable items on display. Here we can show with significant detail the surface temperatures of the products on the shelves without touching them. All of this is possible in easily viewed documents, in either hard copy or digital displays on a computer monitor. This is empirical evidence! Infrared thermography is a non-contact method of temperature determination that cannot spread bacteria from one place to another like a thermometer probe can. A conscientious grocer uses this information to improve the operating parameters of their refrigeration equipment and reduce the chances of premature food spoilage either while in the grocer's possession or after the consumer takes it home.