How GS1 Barcoding Enhances Food Manufacturing Andy Cumpton, Carlilse Technology
A
s food processors look to expand their market opportunities, they will face more demands on how their products are labeled. Topics like GS1 Barcoding can be confusing to an owner-operator whose main concern is the daily operation of their business. So let’s dig into the topic of GS1 Barcoding and remove some of the confusion! What is a GS1 Barcode? GS1 is a non-profit organization that introduced the world to barcoding in 1974. Their global standard of barcoding spans multiple industries, from food processing to the medical industry. GS1 established a global language for trade, and has over 2 million subscribers worldwide.
digit. The two numbers identify the producer and the product. The Company Prefix is the unique number that identifies the producer. The Item Reference Number (IRN) is the number that identifies the product. The GTIN allows a product to be scanned and identified anywhere in the world. UPC-A Barcodes In the food industry, the type of barcode used on a product will vary depending on what type of product is being labeled. For consumer goods (i.e. tray packs of chicken), the GS1 Barcode will probably be a UPC-A Barcode. The simple UPC-A Barcode identifies the Company Prefix and the Item Reference Number.
The GS1 Barcode can take multiple forms depending on the industry, product container, and information required. At the heart of every GS1 Barcode is a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). The GTIN is comprised of two numbers and a check
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