The global food industry is rapidly moving toward greater transparency as SmartLabel expands the use of QR codes on packaging. These codes allow consumers to instantly access detailed product information—such as ingredients, nutrition facts, allergens, recall alerts, sustainability initiatives, and brand history—through a simple scan.
Launched in 2015, SmartLabel now covers more than 106,000 products across over 1,000 brands, reflecting widespread industry adoption. According to Rishi Banerjee, this growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand for deeper and more transparent product information. The platform is already seeing strong engagement, with around 22 million annual interactions and users spending over 90 seconds per scan.
A key driver of future expansion is the Sunrise 2027 initiative led by GS1. This program aims to transition retailers from traditional UPC barcodes to advanced 2D barcodes, including QR codes, at checkout systems. These next-generation barcodes will serve a dual purpose—facilitating billing while also enabling consumers to access digital product information. Additionally, they can support operational functions such as recall management, product authentication, and dynamic pricing for near-expiry items.
SmartLabel is also emerging as a valuable tool for regulatory compliance and sustainability communication. As governments introduce stricter labeling requirements, QR codes provide a scalable way to share additional details without overcrowding packaging. The platform is also exploring applications in extended producer responsibility (EPR), allowing brands to deliver location-specific recycling information and improve consumer awareness around recyclability.
Overall, SmartLabel’s growth reflects a broader industry shift toward standardized, digital-first product information systems, helping bridge the gap between limited on-pack space and the rising demand for real-time, comprehensive transparency.