Managing Food Expiration and Recalls with GS1 QR Codes

We have all noticed different terms like ‘best-by’, ‘ sell-by’, and ‘best-before’ on food packages when going through supermarket aisles. With so many confusing terms and no explanation, people often throw away perfectly good food, increasing the global food crisis. 

News reports show that the U.S. had almost 300 food recalls in the first six months of 2023. One of the main reasons behind this is the complex food labeling system that leaves us confused about what is actually safe to eat. 

This is where the GS1 QR code for food expiration and recalls can help. These QR codes offer a systematic approach to managing food labeling and recall.

Keep reading to find out more about this type of barcode, how it works, and what its benefits are for food safety management. 

Table of Contents

• What are food expiration and recalls?
• How to read expiration dates on food
  • What does Sell-by Date mean?
  • What does Use-by Date mean?
  • What does Best Before Date mean?
  • What does Expiry Date mean?
• Use of QR code technology for food expiration and recalls
• GS1  and barcodes
  • GS1 2D barcode 
  • What is the GS1 Digital Link?
• What are the pros of using a GS1 QR code for food expiry and recalls management?
  • Improves food traceability
  • Better inventory management 
  • Faster, more targeted recalls
  • Customer engagement
• How to get started with GS1 QR codes
• GS1 QR code: A smart tool for better food tracking and management

What are food expiration and recalls?

A food expiry date tells us the last date a product is safe to eat. It means that beyond this date, the food will start losing its great taste, smell and nutrients. It’s important to understand that it doesn’t mean that the food will become poisonous right after that date.  

Food recall means removing a specific food product from the marketplace. It usually happens when the food product is declared unsafe, contaminated, or unhealthy for human consumption. 

A food recall takes place due to two main reasons: 

• A report or complaint from manufacturers, retailers, the government, or consumers. 
• A food business conducting internal checking and testing.  

How to read expiration dates on food

In general, people think of expiry dates as the date at which the food should go in the trash.

In reality, the caution labels printed on food items (sell-by, use-by, best before) are more about maintaining quality and safety within suggested dates. Here’s how: 

What does Sell-by Date mean?

Sell-by dates are primarily used for store inventory management. They indicate the last day the product should be offered for sale to ensure quality for the consumer. You'll often find these dates on perishable items like meat and dairy. 

While a product may still be safe to consume for a short period after the sell-by date if appropriately refrigerated, this is not a guarantee, and it's essential to assess the product's quality before consumption.

Look for any signs of spoilage such as unusual odor, color changes, or altered texture.

What does Use-by Date mean?

This marks the last safe day to consume the product. It’s about safety, not taste.

Found on high-risk foods like meat, fish, and ready-to-eat meals. Don’t consume past this date—even if it looks or smells okay. It might be dangerous. In some countries, selling products beyond this date is illegal.

Note: For baby formula, this date also relates to nutritional content.

What does Best Before Date mean?

This one's about quality, not safety. It's found in long-lasting foods like canned goods, pasta, rice, and snacks.

Food is often safe past this date, but taste or texture might drop. Use your senses to judge—if it smells fine and the packaging is intact, it’s probably okay.

What does Expiry Date mean?

Expiration date on food means what it says. It means if you haven't used a product by this date, throw it away. You can find 'expires on' and 'don't use' after dates on products like medicines or infant formula. 

While it may look very simple, these labels become a dizzying array of phrases for a regular customer. Since there’s no information available beyond these labels, people often end up discarding food that’s perfectly fine for consumption. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that customer confusion around product labels is responsible for 20% of food wasted in homes, costing an average of $ 161 billion per year. 

This loss is not limited to domestic use but also affects the global economy and food safety. FDA (U.S.) further reports that almost 40% of food is wasted during the farm-to-fork process, with safety recalls being one of the major reasons.

To avoid any health hazards, people try to avoid food that has gone beyond its 'best before' date as they have little or no scientific knowledge about food safety.  

Use of QR code technology for food expiration and recalls

The growing food safety and health challenges demand transparency and detailed product information. To overcome these challenges consumers, retailers and regulators need a systematic way to access detailed knowledge about food from farm-to-fork. 

'Quick response' or QR codes for logistics can be an effective way to reduce the gap between the physical and digital worlds.

These 2D codes printed on menus, clothing tags, or food packaging help consumers and producers track a product's entire life journey from raw materials to the finished stage. 

GS1  and barcodes

GS1 is a global not-for-profit that creates standards for barcodes and data exchange.

It maintains a system that includes traditional 1D barcodes (like UPC and EAN) and 2D options like GS1 QR Code and Data Matrix—a version of DataMatrix encoded with GS1 rules. These barcode types allow businesses to share accurate product information across the supply chain, from manufacturing to retail checkout. That means faster identification, better traceability, and systems that actually "talk" to each other.

GS1 2D barcode 

The GS1 QR code is more common in most consumer products, such as food. It works well with smartphones and gives shoppers easy access to product details.

On the other hand, GS1 DataMatrix is mainly used in healthcare. It’s better suited for small packaging, like medicine bottles or syringes, where space is limited but accuracy is critical.

Now, these barcodes are more powerful because they can carry a GS1 Digital Link inside.

What is the GS1 Digital Link?

At its core, it’s a web address (URL) built using GS1’s global standards. For example:

 https://qr4.be/01/09780345418913

This URL includes a product’s unique ID (like its GTIN) and can also carry extra data like a batch number, expiration date, or serial number. You can scan one barcode and access rich, detailed product information.

These links follow strict rules set by GS1 to make sure they work across all supply chains, barcode systems, and digital platforms. It’s like a universal format for product URLs.

When used on food products, GS1 QR Codes with Digital Link provide:

How to read expiration dates on food

• Product Origin and Traceability: Information about the farm, manufacturer, and supply chain 
• Food Expiration Dates: Precise details about product shelf life, optimal quality, and safety limits 
• Nutritional Information: Detailed nutritional value, including allergens and dietary restrictions
• Certifications: Organic, fair trade, or other certifications
• Sustainability Information: Environmental impact and ethical sourcing practices
• Consumer Reviews: Feedback from other customers

What are the pros of using a GS1 QR code for food expiry and recalls management?

A GS1 QR code is a smart 2D barcode that connects your product's unique identity (GTIN) number with real-time content that can be updated at different stages.

Let's look at some of the most prominent benefits of a GS1 QR code on food packaging for expiration and recalls. 

Improves food traceability

Today, people demand authentic information about the food they’re purchasing. It increases their confidence in food brands and helps them make conscious decisions about their dietary choices. 

For example, a customer purchases a carton of milk. By scanning the GS1 QR code for logistics and supply chain on the carton, they can confirm the origin of the milk if it’s coming from a local farm.

They can also check its fat content, expiration date, and if there are any potential allergens that don't align with their dietary needs.