The Role of Barcodes in Food Processing

Barcode technology is an element of food processing that is no longer negotiable. The use of barcodes for traceability increases access to product information, helps eliminate waste and promotes public health.

Why Use Barcodes?

The first time a barcoded product was used in a super market was April 26, 1974. A pack of chewing gum was the very first product that was barcoded and sold. Since then barcoding has come a long way. Now food manufacturers are using barcodes across their entire production process.

Barcodes have proved to be incredibly useful for managing the inventories of individual and bulk food product. Consistent use of barcodes provides traceability of every product in the supply chain. By using barcodes, processors can easily track product stock and identify where and when food items are distributed. Tracking when product is sold and who it is sold to helps ensure food is only produced when there is a demand for it, thereby decreasing waste. This transparency is also useful for identifying where product needs to be removed from in the unfortunate event of a recall.

Foodservice Barcode Standards

Barcodes provide access to unique product-identifying information that is mandated by GS1 requirements, created by GS1 US® to improve traceability and enhance food safety.

The recent Foodservice GS1 US Standards Initiative (2009) is a combined effort by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, the International Foodservice Distributors Association and the National Restaurant Association. The goal of the initiative is to increase food processors’ awareness and adoption of GS1 standards.

Utilizing barcodes to comply with GS1 standards enables processors to establish and enforce food safety regulations and increase the effectiveness of traceability. Carlisle Technology is a leading producer of labeling solutions for food industries. Our iCap inmotion weighing and labeling plant-floor software is designed to enhance barcode verification with outbound GS1 barcode scanning and reject management. Combined with advanced weighing systems from reputable manufacturers, our labeling software and hardware can elevate processing plants to a higher tier of traceability.

Visit byz.westerlyspine.com/icap to explore our suite of weighing and labeling solutions.

Written by Rice Lake Weighing Systems www.ricelake.com