Food coding must satisfy two things at the same time: consumers scan the code to see the product, and the supply chain scans the code to see the batch and shelf life. The retail code manages "which product it is", and GS1-128 manages "which batch, until what date".
The example is a 69-prefix GTIN-13 (including mod10 check digit). Batch and shelf life information is carried by GS1-128.
Category qualifications and shelf life — first match your situation, then look at the solution.
With only the retail code, if a problem occurs, the batch cannot be identified, and a recall can only be expanded to the entire batch.
Food category platforms have many requirements, and the standards for coding and qualifications are not aligned, leading to repeated back-and-forth supplementation.
FIFO relies on human memory; if barcodes do not carry batch information, it cannot be implemented.
In food scenarios, barcodes are the anchor of the traceability chain: GTIN identifies the trade item, and GS1-128 uses Application Identifiers (AI) to encode the batch (AI 10) and expiry date (AI 17) into the same symbology.
Retail unit checkout and record creation.
Batch number encoded into the barcode, registered upon inbound and outbound.
Expiry date is readable with the code, providing a data source for near-expiry alerts.
Choose barcode types by scenario, and don't pay for capabilities you won't use.
| Barcode symbology | Form | Purpose in this scenario |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN-13 | Retail unit | Terminal checkout and platform record creation. |
| GS1-128 | Batch / Shelf life | AI(10) batch + AI(17) expiry date, the carrier for logistics and near-expiry management. |
| ITF-14 | Outer carton | Full-case ordering and receiving identification. |
All barcode types can be found inBarcode Tool CenterTruly generated and verified before printing.
Directional comparison; specific current rules shall prevail.
| Level | Symbology direction | Carried information |
|---|---|---|
| Retail unit | GTIN-13 | Trade item identification |
| Logistics outer carton | ITF-14 | Full-case identification, corresponding to the individual items inside |
| Batch label | GS1-128 | Batch (AI 10) and expiration date (AI 17) |
| Platform category | GTIN + qualification | Category qualification and product barcode information are consistent |
Qualification lists for food categories differ across platforms; the platform's current requirements shall prevail; consistency between labeling and qualification information is a prerequisite for approval.
Determine which items require batch management and how batch numbers are generated.
GTIN-13 covers retail units, and outer cartons are labeled with ITF-14.
Generate batch labels according to AI(10)/(17) syntax and integrate with warehousing processes.
Batches are put into storage with codes, and FIFO and near-expiry warnings are executed based on data.
GS1-128 carries batch information: batch numbers and expiration dates are encoded into the barcode, enabling traceability through inbound and outbound registration.
Customers in the food and beverage industry (see the case page for the list).
Food categories generally require production licenses and quality inspection reports, provided together with the SKU list (subject to the platform's current requirements).
The total fee usually includes: the coding service fee charged by the member organization (based on tier and number of years) + agency service fee. Factors affecting the fee: SKU scale, number of number segments required, and whether additional matters such as changes / transfers are included.
Once the materials are complete, the review and allocation process begins. Timelines vary by member organization.
No new code allocation is involved, so the process is relatively simple
Unified ledger management, with each milestone synchronized item by item
The above is a description of the process sequence and does not fabricate specific numbers of days; the actual timeline is subject to the current public notices of the accepting institution, and each milestone will be synchronized during processing.
Offline stores / chain supermarkets
Multiple Specifications and Gift Boxes
European, American / Southeast Asian / Middle Eastern markets
Magnification Factor · Color · Placement
Describe the product category and sales channel, and the coding consultant will provide the corresponding solution for this scenario.
