Regulating Food Packaging and Food Safety is one of the tasks the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) and other regulatory bodies across the world like FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) take very seriously and that’s why Food Industry is looking for more ways to increase transparency and brand positioning at the same time.
Amongst various ways available for doing the same, use of QR Codes on brand labels is increasingly getting popular. One can presume the various features QR Codes offer, in comparison to other available technologies of the day, are the driving factor and one wouldn’t be wrong.
QR Codes indeed have transformed the way we see barcodes. It is quick-responsive, scans easily and can hold 10 times more data than a traditional barcode.
Let’s find out what a QR Code is and how it can enhance food safety and transparency through food packaging labels that come with QR Codes:
What is a QR Code?
A QR code is a two dimensional (Matrix) barcode and can store data vertically and horizontally which enables it to contain more data than a traditional barcode (with bars).
QR code was first invented in 1994 at Denso Wave, a Japanese car manufacturing company, by Japanese engineer Masahiro Hara while he was looking for ways to streamline the movement of auto parts along the assembly line.
The reasons why QR code is considered versatile and more useful than barcodes are several. For one, it has dedicated focus and alignment zones integrated with the QR Code that enables quick 360 degree alignment and quick response/scanning.
QR Codes on Food Packaging
As food industry makes effort to be more transparent about CPGs (consumer packaged goods), QR codes present a feasible, cost effective and efficient solution to tackle such problems. Brands are integrating QR codes on food labels to give out additional information about food contents, information about nutrients and in some cases, the story behind the products (wine manufactures are increasingly doing this).
Food Safety Applications of QR Codes:
As regulatory bodies like FDA (USA) and FSSAI (India) make it mandatory for food industries to be more transparent regarding food, its ingredients, and its labeling, QR Code has come as a fit solution.
Here are some of the QR code applications that enhance transparency and food safety as well as help with brand positioning:
1. FOOD Labeling with QR Codes
QR Codes on food packaging labels have become a trend in past few years. It’s helpful for giving out quick product information like manufacturing date, packaging date, and product expiration dates etc.
Integrated with brand labels, it can help customers shop quickly, without having to call customer service assistant. It certainly makes for a nice shopping experience.
2. Food transparency with QR Codes
As regulatory bodies push the CPG industries for increased transparency, QR codes come in handy. It can hold various data types like texts and URL, numerical digits, image and pdf, which allows brands to be more transparent with customers.
Brands can give out information regarding ingredients of the food items, nutrition chart and possible allergies and side effects etc.
This not only provides transparency but builds consumer trust as well.
3. Brand Positioning with QR Codes
Along with food safety regulations, QR Codes also help with brand positioning. Various wine companies are increasingly integrating QR Codes with their wine bottle labels to not only create an appealing look but also providing consumers with stories about the products, the idea behind the products etc.
It helps with brand positioning by creating a distinct impression on customers.
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