During this Halloween period, fake blood will be used by thousands of costume wearers to complete their Halloween look. For healthcare workers their process with blood will be significantly different, ensuring that their patients get the best care possible.

A blood transfusion is a lifesaving procedure and ensuring that blood is stored, transported and labelled correctly is a crucial and mandatory part of the process.

The processing and transportation of blood bags not only require label materials that can withstand the rigorous conditions faced by a blood bag, but should also still be able to display critical information regarding its content.

Blood is a precious resource and by using Zebra’s blood bag labels, blood bags can be clearly identified and accurately tracked. This avoids waste, and the expense of having to destroy unidentified blood, as well as the risk of blood transfusion errors.

To be able to correctly identify blood bags, two types of labels must be applied at different stages in the process, which fortunately for you, here at Labelman Ltd. we can supply to you.

Zebra 8000T Primary Blood Bag Labels are directly placed onto a blood bag by the blood manufacturer, and displays information such as the manufacturer’s name and address, as well as batch numbers and product codes to allow traceability. Once blood collection has taken place, blood bags must be labelled and barcoded with important information such as the blood type and donor number. Zebra’s 8000T Primary Blood Bag adhesive has been approved by ISEGA and complies with ISO 3826 for direct labelling onto blood bags.

Zebra’s second label is the 8000T Secondary Blood Bag, intended for placement on top of the primary labels. These labels usually feature a multi-part design that is used for traceability and tracking purposes. It should be noted, that this material is not approved for direct application onto a blood bag and should only be used in overlaying applications.

Beneficially, Zebra’s thermal transfer blood bag labels, ribbons and thermal barcode printers produce sharp, smear-proof, long-lasting barcodes and text graphics that are resistant to moisture and common solvents found within the hospital environment. This element will ensure that all text, barcodes and imagery remain readable throughout the life of the blood bag.

Another key element to Halloween is pumpkins. Which are massively popular this time of year, for seasonal pumpkin farm visits, pumpkin carving and cooking. This has huge benefits on the food industry, but without the correct labels this could have huge implications.

We are aware that the food and beverage, and hospitality operators need a reliable and secure food-labelling system, that displays all of the crucial nutritional information, such as ingredients and food allergens to ensure that consumers are making the correct decisions on their food choices. These labels also need to comply with complex regulations and standards for food labelling and traceability. Luckily Zebra provide a wide selection of printers, software and supplies that meet FDA (The Food and Drug Administration) requirements for direct and indirect food contact.

The 8000T Semi-Gloss Removable is a removeable paper label, most suited to indoor and cold environments. It has a good adhesion and clean removability on a wide variety of surfaces, and beneficially is BPA and latex free. When the label is applied, the minimum application temperature is -15°C, and the service temperature range is -30°C to 80°C.

The labels are printed with a thermal transfer printer, and when matched with Zebra 2300 and 2100 ribbons, they produce good quality, and detailed barcodes. Mostly importantly, their adhesive complies with European food regulations, BfR Recommendation XIV and FDA 175.105 for direct contact with dry foods.

For more information on Zebra’s Blood Bag and Food Labels, you can contact us here.

Read the specifications on the 8000T Primary and Secondary Blood Bags and the 8000T-Semi-Gloss-Removable.