Food

Marking, Coding and Labeling for the Food Industry

Food coding systems with low operating costs and minimal maintenance.

Diagraph offers food manufacturers and producers a wide range of solutions for batch coding, date coding, ingredient labeling and barcode marking. With technologies that span the entire packaging line, from primary product to case coding all the way to pallet labeling, our equipment aims to reduce your total cost of ownership while minimizing downtime and producing high-quality marks.

Why is food marking and coding important?

Marking and coding operations are vital in the food industry to ensure safety, traceability and compliance with regulations. From consumers needing to access expiration dates, to warehousing employees needing to scan barcodes for distribution, accurate marking and coding is imperative at every step of the supply chain. This can also lead to benefits in inventory management, enhanced consumer trust and more efficient recall processes.

Food Safety

Accurate labeling on food products allows manufacturers to convey critical information to consumers, such as ingredients, allergens, nutritional facts and expiration dates. This information helps consumers make informed decisions when purchasing products for special dietary needs or preferences. Expiration dates and best-by are critical for customers to quickly identify if foods are still safe to consume after they've been purchased. 

Traceability

Precise food coding facilitates traceability throughout the supply chain, from production to distribution. In the case of a product recall or quality issue, proper coding enables manufacturers and retailers to quickly identify and remove affected batches from store shelves, safeguarding consumer health and safety. It's also crucial to include a barcode or a QR code for efficient inventory management and traceability. This allows companies to track their products throughout the supply chain and distribution process.

Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printers and thermal inkjet printers are teo popular choices for marking and coding on food packaging. By utilizing various non-contact technologies, inkjet printers project tiny droplets of ink onto the packaging substrate. Conversely, thermal inkjet printers use heat to create bubbles in the ink which are then expelled onto the packaging substrate. Both technologies offer fast, reliable and high-quality printing, but make sure you use the solution that works best for your application. 

Inkjet printers can print on various substrates including paper, cardboard, plastic and even metal. These systems are suitable for printing barcodes, logos, expiration dates and other information requred for product identification and traceability. Thermal inkjet printers, though limited to printing on porous surfaces like cardboard and paper, offer quick drying times and high-contrast printing. They are often preferred for printing batch numbers, lot codes, and best-before dates on food packaging.

Labeling

Proper labeling techniques for different food products are essential to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance. Whether you are packaging perishable goods, beverages, or dry goods, accurate and informative labels are crucial. Each type of food product has its own specific requirements when it comes to labeling. This typically includes the product name, ingredients, allergens, nutritional facts, and any specific storage instructions. Additionally, it is crucial to include a barcode or a QR code for efficient inventory management and traceability.

When it comes to labeling, you can choose to apply pre-printed labels or opt for a print-and-apply labeling solution that prints labels in real-time before applying them. The type of labeling solution you choose depends on the needs of your production line. If you're needing to print variable data on your labels, then a print-and-apply system may be more fitting for your needs than a standard label applicator. Since label applicators do not utilize a print engine, all labels must be pre-printed.