Managing Food Expiration and Recalls with GS1 QR Codes
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We have all noticed different terms like ‘best-by’, ‘ sell-by’, and ‘best-before’ on food packages when going through supermarket aisles. With so many confusing terms and no explanation, people often throw away perfectly good food, increasing the global food crisis.
News reports show that the U.S. had almost 300 food recalls in the first six months of 2023. One of the main reasons behind this is the complex food labeling system that leaves us confused about what is actually safe to eat.
This is where the GS1 QR code for food expiration and recalls can help. These QR codes offer a systematic approach to managing food labeling and recall.
Keep reading to find out more about GS1 QR codes, how they work, and what their benefits are for food safety management.
Table of Contents
- What are Food Expiration and Recalls?
- Understanding the Science Behind Food Expiry and Recalls
- Use of QR Code Technology for Food Expiration and recalls
- GS1 QR Codes
- GS1 QR CODE For Food Expiration and Recalls
- Benefits of GS1 QR Code for Managing Food Expiry and Recalls
- How To Get Started with GS 1 QR Codes for Food Expiration and Recalls
- Conclusion
What are Food Expiration and Recalls?
A food expiry date tells us the last date a product is safe to eat. It means that beyond this date, the food will start losing its great taste, smell and nutrients. It’s important to understand that it doesn’t mean that the food will become poisonous right after that date.
Food recall means removing a specific food product from the marketplace. It usually happens when the food product is declared unsafe, contaminated, or unhealthy for human consumption.
A food recall takes place due to two main reasons:
- A report or complaint from manufacturers, retailers, the government, or consumers.
- A food business conducting internal checking and testing.
Understanding the Science Behind Food Expiry and Recalls
In general, people think of expiry dates as the date at which the food should go in the trash.
In reality, the caution labels printed on food items (sell-by, use-by, best before) are more about maintaining quality and safety within suggested dates. Here’s how:
Sell-by Date
Use-by Date
Manufacturers assign this date to maintain the optimum quality of food products.
Use-by dates refer to the date a product will maintain its maximum freshness, flavor, and taste. After this date, food products start to deteriorate slowly, though they are still edible.
Expiry Date
Expiry date means what it says. It means if you haven't used a product by this date, throw it away. You can find 'expires on' and 'don't use' after dates on products like medicines or infant formula.
While it may look very simple, these labels become a dizzying array of phrases for a regular customer. Since there’s no information available beyond these labels, people often end up discarding food that’s perfectly fine for consumption.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that customer confusion around product labels is responsible for 20% of food wasted in homes, costing an average of $ 161 billion per year.
This loss is not limited to domestic use but also affects the global economy and food safety. FDA (U.S.) further reports that almost 40% of food is wasted during the farm-to-fork process, with safety recalls being one of the major reasons.
To avoid any health hazards, people try to avoid food that has gone beyond its 'best before' date as they have little or no scientific knowledge about food safety.
Use of QR Code Technology for Food Expiration and recalls
The growing food safety and health challenges demand transparency and detailed product information. To overcome these challenges consumers, retailers and regulators need a systematic way to access detailed knowledge about food from farm-to-fork.
'Quick response' or QR codes for logistics can be an effective way to reduce the gap between the physical and digital worlds.
These 2D codes printed on menus, clothing tags, or food packaging help consumers and producers track a product's entire life journey from raw materials to the finished stage.
GS1 QR Codes
Global Standards (GS1) is an international organization working on developing global barcode standards.
It provides a framework, in the form of barcodes and QR codes, that helps companies store and manage information about their products and services throughout the supply chain process.
GS1 QR Code For Food Expiration and Recalls
GS1 is the only authorized provider of Global Trade Item (GTN) numbers, which are usually found under the barcodes printed on different products (also known as EAN and UPC).
These GTN barcodes are unique identity numbers that are globally accepted by retailers and marketplaces to identify and sell products.
GS1 has standards for different barcodes that are currently in use across different industries. Let's look at two of the most widely used GS1 barcodes for the food and retail industry and how they improve transparency and food traceability.
GS1 Barcode
These are the most widely used 14-digit barcodes printed on different food cartons and packages. They support fast and accurate inventory tracking and increase supply chain visibility.
These GS1 barcodes are usually printed on items that are not intended to pass through the point of sale (cartons or pallets). Upon scanning, these barcodes can display basic information that validates data and improves traceability:
- Global Trade Item Number (GTIN): A global identification number of a specific product
- Lot or Batch number: Track product origin and production date
- Expiration date: Indicates the shelf life of a product
- Basic Information: Such as product description or weight
GS1 2D Barcode
GS1 2D QR codes (GS1 digital link URI) follow a standard structure that stores a wealth of information beyond product description and expiry dates.
Through a simple scan, both customers and retailers can get access to detailed and comprehensive information about food products such as:
- Product Origin and Traceability: Information about the farm, manufacturer, and supply chain
- Expiration Dates: Precise details about product shelf life, optimal quality, and safety limits
- Nutritional Information: Detailed nutritional value, including allergens and dietary restrictions
- Certifications: Organic, fair trade, or other certifications
- Sustainability Information: Environmental impact and ethical sourcing practices
- Consumer Reviews: Feedback from other customers
Benefits of GS1 QR Code for Managing Food Expiry and Recalls
A GS1 QR code is a smart 2D barcode that connects your product's unique identity (GTIN) number with real-time content that can be updated at different stages.
Let's look at some of the most prominent benefits of GS1 QR codes for food expiration and recalls.
Improves Food Traceability
Today, people demand authentic information about the food they’re purchasing. It increases their confidence in food brands and helps them make conscious decisions about their dietary choices.
For example, a customer purchases a carton of milk. By scanning the GS1 QR code for logistics and supply chain on the carton, they can confirm the origin of the milk if it’s coming from a local farm.
They can also check its fat content, expiration date and if there are any potential allergens that don't align with their dietary needs.
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Better Inventory Management
GS1 QR codes are highly beneficial for logistics and supply chains. They help businesses keep proper records of their products and manage inventory better. QR codes act like digital trackers that show where a product is at any given time.
This helps you understand your stock levels, when to order more, and where to send it based on customers' needs.
Less Safety Recalls
GS1 QR code for food prevents safety recalls. By tracking products from farm to store, a business can quickly identify and remove any contaminated or unsafe items.
For example, if a food poisoning outbreak is linked to a specific product, the QR code can trace the product's origin for a rapid recall of affected batches. This protects customers, improves brand reputation, and saves businesses money.
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Customer Engagement
GS1 QR codes for food expiration and recalls are not limited to food traceability. They can be a powerful tool to increase customer engagement.
Think of them as little fun stickers that connect people with your company. You can keep updating them with special offers, recipe ideas, or interactive contests. This keeps customers engaged in your brand and helps you get their valuable opinions.
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How To Get Started with GS 1 QR Codes for Food Expiration and Recalls
- Go to the GS1 QR code generator online. Register or log in to your account.
- Fill out all the necessary information, including primary identification, data attributes, and key qualifiers.
- Choose your preferred QR code solution (e.g., file, URL, file, Vcard).
- Click on Generate QR code.
- Customize your QR code with different colors, patterns, frames, or pictures until you get your desired result.
- Scan and check if your QR code works properly. Click on Download to save your QR code.
GS1 QR code: A smart tool for better food tracking and management
Food expiration and recalls are serious issues that make millions of people sick and waste a lot of food. People often get confused around food labels and expiries and end up consuming food that’s not safe. This is the reason behind many health risks, including the loss of human lives.
QR codes for food expiration and recalls can help. By scanning clear information on food labels, like where it came from, what's in it, and when it’s best to eat, QR codes can help people make smart choices.
Businesses can also use QR codes to track their inventory and highlight any issues. This helps prevent food from getting contaminated and wasted.
Are you a part of the food supply chain and passionate about food safety and sustainable business practices? Visit GS1 QR code generator. It offers diverse solutions for all businesses according to their unique requirements. Register now and start creating a healthier and sustainable food system.
