Smart Labels in the Food Industry: Applications and Benefits

‘Smart labels’ are the latest innovation within packaging that can be utilised by food manufacturers to improve traceability, product information and food safety. However the diverse nature of smart labels, encompassing a wide range of technologies and applications, has led to some confusion as to what exactly a ‘smart label’ is. This article explains what smart labels are, the main applications and benefits of using smart labels in the food industry as well as looking at the ground-breaking new ways they are being used by food manufacturers to give them a competitive advantage. What are smart labels? Smart labels is used as an umbrella term for any labelling or coding that uses technology to add functionality and data beyond a traditional barcode. This includes data embedded barcodes, RFID, and QR codes alongside a wide range of innovative new applications that take advantage of the new technology. Transforming a once single dimensional barcode into a data-rich source for suppliers, packagers, logistics workers and advertisers. Smart labelling can demonstrate the qualities / provenance of products, improve food safety and reduce food waste by tracking the product through the supply chain. We take a look at some of the main smart food labels and their benefits for the food industry.

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