Laser coding takes bread into the future

Laser coding takes bread into the future

Have you ever considered how much packaging and food waste we could eliminate if we marked and coded directly onto food products?

Globally, retailers and other businesses are beginning to recognise the damaging effects plastics have on the environment. Plastic is full of toxic compounds that add to an ever-increasing pollution crisis on land, sea and air because unlike organic matter, plastic can take centuries to degrade.

In the retail industry, and particularly in South Africa, plastic bags are still widely circulated among consumers. While customers are encouraged to reuse them rather than dispose of them, they are still contributing to a pollution problem of gargantuan proportions.

There is no quick fix for the damage that’s already been done, short of a mammoth worldwide cleaning task force that would cost billions. On the upside though, new technology has provided practical solutions that could help phase out or dramatically decrease plastic consumption in South Africa and around the world.

“Last year we embarked on a drive to directly mark fruit and vegetables for supermarkets, either marking best before dates or logos. We have taken this a step further by laser coding onto bread now; this can be done during the proofing stage or after baking the bread,’ explains Gary Chilton, MD of TracePack.

“Marking directly onto food with laser technology saves packaging costs, prevents the generation of consumable waste, and does not impact the environment negatively as sustainable technology is used”

Laser marking directly onto bread, or any other product, is increasingly present in the world of food. One of the keys to achieving sustainability lies in eliminating unnecessary packaging and labels that cannot be recycled. Marking directly onto food with laser technology saves packaging costs, prevents the generation of consumable waste, and does not impact the environment negatively as sustainable technology is used.

Laser coding directly onto bread allows for bulk or individual selling without losing traceability. The brand remains identifiable, a particularly useful feature for those who opted for a corporate label before. Natural branding can be done used on almost all food products. Direct laser labelling is done contact-free, so it has no impact on the food’s quality, taste or shelf life.

The SPA CB30 PLUS by Macsa ID laser achieves a high definition marking on the bread surface. This marking is done without direct contact with the product, therefore preserving the quality and properties of the food itself. Despite their hard yet thin form, breadsticks and crackers remain intact during the marking process too. The CO2 laser creates a groove in the food’s surface that highlights the marking. It is available with premium lenses and Vibration Compensation System (VCS) to ensure high resolution marking even on high-speed production lines. BR

Examples of laser coding on breaded products

TracePack – www.tracepack.co.za

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjofpcqlBko