Sticker saves pears from squeeze test

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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- The humble pear will soon be protected from being repeatedly squeezed by supermarket customers making sure it is plump by a sticker that changes color when the fruit is ripe, New Scientist magazine reported on Wednesday.

A horticultural institute in New Zealand has developed the sticker which is now being tested in shops in the US city of Portland, Oregon.

"The system uses a punnet that traps the volatile compounds fruits emit. As the fruit ripen, the label changes color in response to changing concentrations of these compounds," the magazine said.

Ron Henzell of the Horticultural and Food Research Institute plans to develop stickers for kiwis, avocados and melons if U.S. customers respond well to the trial.

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