Food-quality and shelf-life predicting method and system

A method for indicating to a food product retailer a characteristic of food product stored within a retailer, comprising the steps of:

• setting a first indication limit;
• providing an initial count for a first bacteria type;
• monitoring a temperature of the food product;
• periodically calculating a bacteria count for said first bacteria type as a function of said initial count for said first bacteria type and said temperature;
• and
• providing an indication when said bacteria count of said first bacteria type achieves said first indication limit.

A method of predicting a shelf-life of food product type stored within a refrigeration case, comprising the steps of:

• determining a bacteria count limit for the food product type;
• initiating a first counter corresponding to placement of a first plurality of the food product type within the refrigeration case;
• initiating a second counter corresponding to placement of a second plurality of the food product type within the refrigeration case;
• determining a bacteria count of said first plurality of the food product type within the refrigeration case over a first period corresponding to said first counter;
• determining a bacteria count of said second plurality of the food product type within the refrigeration case over a second period corresponding to said second counter;
• removing either of said first and second pluralities of the food product type from the refrigeration case when said bacteria count limit has been achieved for either of said first and second pluralities of the food product type.