An innovative new type of food packaging may soon be available to home cooks, showing them when ingredients are past their best.

Scientists at Strathclyde University in Glasgow are carrying out tests on a material that changes colour once the food it is protecting goes off.

They believe that if the packaging makes it on to the shelves, it could significantly help reduce the amount of household food being wasted every year.

Leader of the research Professor Andrew Mills commented: "Modified atmosphere packaging is being used increasingly to contain the growth of organisms which spoil food but the costs of the labels currently used with it are substantial."

He added that the packaging could also potentially reduce the number of health problems associated with eating food that is not fit for consumption.

Pira International recently predicted that the bioplastic packaging market will experience a major shake-up over the next ten years.