Can I reuse this label?

Are Thermolabel temp labels reusable? We have heard this question so many times I’ve lost count (or maybe I wasn’t counting in the first place). It's a good question, the short answer is possibly.

Thermolabel temperature labels are what is known as an irreversible temperature indicator. The label reads the temperature of the surface that it is on by means of a white to black color change for each of the temperature ratings on the label. Once this color change occurs, it will not change back. The label will permanently show the temperature that the surface reached.

So how then could it be possible to reuse a Thermolabel? Although once the color change occurs you cannot reuse the label, if the surface temp hasn't reached the rated temperature (the square hasn’t blackened) you can reuse the label for another test. You may either retest with the temperature label in place or in some instances it can be possible to carefully remove a label and apply it to another surface for another test.

One of the most popular uses of our Thermolabel test strips is in food service dish sanitation. If a 1-Temp 160°F Thermolabel was applied to a clean dish surface and sent through the dishwasher but the surface didn’t reach temperature and the square did not turn black, the test can be repeated using the same label. No need to waste that temperature label.

So there you have it; Thermolabel temperature labels can be both one time use and reusable.

You can learn more about using Thermolabels in food service here or see our products sorted by industry here.