en Food safety and hygiene Original articles <div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>Introduction:</em></strong> Applying of a new indicator in food packaging can be effective to inform consumers about the freshness and quality of the products.<br> <strong><em>Materials and Methods:</em></strong> In the current study, a new milk freshness label was investigated containing beetroot color and multi layers of polystyrene. The label characteristics were investigated by estimating color number, release test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The total bacterial count, pH, lactic acid concentration in milk, and label color number were measured using standard plate count, pH meter, titration of acidity, color analysis software, and UV spectrophotometry on days 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 at refrigerator temperature (4 &plusmn; 0.2&deg;C).<br> <strong><em>Results:</em></strong> The label reacted to total bacterial count and pH changes with a visible color during milk spoilage. A positive correlation was found between the label color changes, total bacterial count, and pH. The color of label turned from dark red to light brown, which was related to the chemical changes and bacterial count of milk.<br> <strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong> According to this simple, visible, and affordable label, the shelf life of pasteurized milk was estimated as five days.</div> Food Packaging, Milk, Freshness Indicator. 1053 1062 http://jehsd.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-195-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Razieh Eshaghi r.eshaghee@gmail.com 0000-0001-7585-8800 No Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, International Campus, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Elham khalili Sadrabad khalili.elham@gmail.com 0000-0001-5309-3333 No Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Ali Jebali alijebal2011@gmail.com 0000-0002-1353-3864 No Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran. Seyedhossein Hekmatimoghaddam shhekmati2002@yahoo.com 0000-0001-9859-3753 No Department of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Fateme Akrami Mohajeri fateme.akrami@gmail.com 0000-0002-8338-1464 Yes Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.