Regardless of the package format you use for your PET food products—bags, pouches, cans, and more—you must print date codes, lot numbers, and other production codes onto the package.
Introduction
Coding and marking on food products is the process of printing information such as product codes, batch numbers, expiration dates, and other relevant information onto food packaging. This information is typically printed using specialized equipment called coding and marking machines. The primary purpose of coding and marking food products is to ensure traceability and quality control. By providing unique identification codes, manufacturers can track products throughout the entire supply chain, from production to distribution and ultimately to the consumer. Additionally, the use of coding and marking machines can help reduce errors and increase efficiency in production processes.
Coding and marking on food products also help to meet regulatory requirements, such as nutritional information, ingredients, and allergen warnings. There are several different types of coding and marking technologies that can be used on food products, and the choice of technology will depend on factors such as the type of packaging material, the printing speed required, and the specific information that needs to be printed.
It is essential to encode and brand foodstuffs in order to assure their safety, quality, and compliance with legal regulations.
Of course, there are some challenges:
Though very useful in marking, there are some challenges that can be encountered when using these machines. Some of the common challenges include:
Ensuring legibility: The most important details in this text are the challenges of coding and marking food products, such as legibility and accuracy. Legibility is particularly important when printing on irregularly shaped or textured surfaces.
Maintaining accuracy: Accuracy is also important, as errors in the printed code or batch number can cause difficulties in the supply chain. It is important to verify that the coding and marking devices are calibrated and operational.
Adapting to different packaging materials: When it comes to coding and labelling, different packing materials might present distinct difficulties. For instance, different technologies may be needed to print on flexible plastic packaging compared to printing on hard materials like glass or metal.
Meeting regulatory requirements: The food industry is heavily regulated, and there are strict requirements for the information that must be printed on food packaging. Meeting these requirements can be a challenge, particularly if the regulations change frequently.
Cost considerations: Food producers may incur substantial expenses when purchasing coding and labelling equipment, especially small and medium-sized firms. There are also continuous expenses for consumables like ink and ribbons, as well as maintenance.
To further discover the importance of coding and marking, “Mithai and Namkeen Times” took the best possible opportunity to record interviews with two of the chief contacts. The citations are expressed below:
The importance
Coding and marking are essential parts of the food manufacturing and logistics processes for consumer and industrial products. Common marking and coding formats include barcodes, QR codes, and 2D codes, which include information about the product’s price, manufacturing date, batch number, expiration date, shelf life, ingredients, and industry certifications. Marking and coding maintain a brand’s image as they assure customers of the freshness and authenticity of the product and help improve product supply.
Chidanand B.N., Marketing Head, Markem-Image India Pvt. Ltd., explained that coding and marking machines are essential equipment in the food production industry, as they help to ensure the safety, traceability, and authenticity of food products.
In recent years, the increasing number of dummy products has made it mandatory for governments of various nations to implement strict regulations. Food and beverage manufacturers are strictly instructed to print detailed information on the packaging. These stringent regulations have had a positive impact on the coding and marking industry. Also, rising health concerns are encouraging consumers to look for products with tags. The global F&B marking and coding equipment industry has witnessed a series of technological advancements. The market is shifting towards automation owing to the increased demand for chemicals, F&B, healthcare, and electrical industries.
Stringent regulations related to food and drugs, as well as industrial products, are expected to come with new solutions. Manufacturers are focusing on introducing printers that recycle unused ink to reduce waste and production costs.
Also, equipment with lower replacement requirements reduces downtime. Increasing urbanization and busy lifestyles lead to an increase in the consumption of packaged foods, packaged fruit juice, canned foods, frozen foods, bottled water, and others, which has boosted the growth of the packaged food and beverage industries, thereby increasing the demand for coding and marking systems in the food and beverage industry.
Shiva Kabra, managing director of Control Print Ltd., explains that there are several methods for coding items, and the choice of coding machine and technology is dependent on a variety of application-related parameters.
Contact Coders: The name itself states that these coders make contact with the product surface or laminate to print batch details like batch number, MFG date, best before date, MRP, etc. There are always operational and technological limitations with such coding methods. The only advantage of such technology is that it’s cheaper. Printing is done using some letters made up of metal or rubber stereos in manual or semiautomatic coding machines and ink rolls in fully automatic coding machines. To transfer print on a product, different
media are used, like liquid ink, paint, a ribbon, solid ink, etc.
Non-Contact Coders: These coders make or transfer prints on the product surface or laminate from a distance. This means one can have a distance of 2-4 mm to 160 mm between the print head and the object to be printed. There is absolutely no limitation on what one can print on the product. Batch details like batch number, MFG date, best before date, MRP, etc., along with any additional information like product description, logos, 1D and 2D barcodes, etc., can be added. Many coding machines in this category can be directly interfaced with ERP, computers, PLC systems, and other machines like weighing machines to give them added advantages. The media used in noncontact coding are mostly different types of ink, both liquid and semi-liquid. However, some non-contact coders don’t even need ink as a consumable.
Control Print Ltd. manufacture these Coding and Marking printers specifically designed for food Industry
The Classifications:
Chidanand says that there are different types of coding and marking machines used in the food production industry, each with its own specific functions. Some of the common types of coding and marking machines used in the food production industry are:
• Continuous inkjet printers
• Thermal transfer over printers
• Laser Printers
• Large Character Printers
• Print & Apply Labelling Machines
He also cited that the benefits of them in the food industry over the past few years have become extremely critical to the success of the entire supply chain and quality control process.
The coding and marking industry have been helping big manufacturing firms identify, track, and trace their products as well as prevent counterfeiting of goods. In line with the government’s efforts to make India self-sufficient, the coding and marking industry has also aided in the development of the country’s manufacturing, packaging, start-ups, SMBs, and food and beverage industries.
It provides solutions to these businesses for a variety of objectives, such as regulatory requirements, inventory management, traceability, branding, and anti-counterfeiting. The advancement of coding and marking technology has not only helped these businesses solve their problems, but it has also contributed in a large way to the growth of the country’s developing economy.
Shiva Kabra stated that the printing technique should be chosen based on the application and the quantity of prints required per day by manufacturers. Control Print Limited’s extensive after-sales network guarantees that these machines perform smoothly at production locations. Control Print Limited always has enough replacements on hand to help customers.”
He added that both contact and noncontact types are available in India and are manufactured locally by Control Print Ltd. at their manufacturing facilities in Himachal Pradesh and Guwahati to support faster supply of printers and consumables on a pan-India basis.
The valuable tool:
Adding to the above, Chidanand said, “Coding and marking machines are a valuable tool for food production companies looking to reduce downtime and keep the supply chain up-to-date. By improving efficiency, accuracy, real-time data, and traceability, coding and marking machines help to ensure that products are produced and delivered on time, reducing the risk of downtime and improving customer satisfaction. He also defines:
• Ensuring product safety: Coding and marking machines help to ensure the safety of food products by providing vital information such as expiration dates, batch numbers, and tracking information.
• Maintaining traceability: Coding and marking machines help to maintain the traceability of food products by providing unique identification codes that can be used to track products through the supply chain.
• Ensuring product authenticity: Coding and marking
machines help to ensure the authenticity of food products by providing unique identification codes that can be used to verify the product’s origin and authenticity.
• Enhancing product visibility: Coding and marking machines help to enhance the visibility of food products by providing high-quality codes, graphics, and barcodes that are easy to read and scan.
In the same lieu, Shiva Kabra projected that coding and marking will for sure reduce downtime caused between production and distribution; this is achieved by selecting the correct method of coding. For example, online noncontact coders not only do coding at a higher speed, which results in faster distribution, but also, by using 2D barcodes like QR codes, one can track and trace the shipment down to the microlevel.
The Perfect Choice
Choosing the right coding machine for your packaging and food labelling business can be a critical decision that can impact your production efficiency, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
Chidanand summarizes factors to consider when determining which coding machines are suitable for your business:
Type of packaging material: The type of packaging material used in your business is an essential factor to consider when choosing a coding machine. Some coding machines may be better suited for printing on specific materials, such as plastic, paper, or metal. It’s essential to select a coding machine that is compatible with your packaging material to ensure that the codes and labels are clear and legible.
Required print quality: Different coding machines have different printing capabilities, and the required print quality will depend on the specific needs of your business. For example, laser coders are known for their high-quality printing and are ideal for printing high-resolution graphics and barcodes, while inkjet printers are more versatile and can be used for printing on a wide range of surfaces.
Printing speed: The printing speed of a coding machine is another critical factor to consider. If your business requires high-volume production, it’s important to select a coding machine that can keep up with your production rate and avoid delays and downtime.
Code complexity: The complexity of the codes and labels required for your business is another factor to consider. For example, if your business requires 2D barcodes, it’s important to select a coding machine that can print these codes accurately and quickly.
Maintenance and support: Finally, it’s essential to consider the maintenance and support required for the coding machine. Choose a machine that is easy to maintain, and ensure that the manufacturer provides reliable technical support and spare parts.
“When choosing a coding machine for your packaging and food labelling business, consider your specific needs, such as the type of packaging material used, required print quality, printing speed, code complexity, and maintenance and support requirements. By carefully considering these factors, you can select a coding machine that meets your business needs and helps you achieve your production and quality goals”, he elucidates.
Shiva Kabra highlights that any manufacturer in the beginning can consider contact coders when the volumes are really low and gradually change the technology to continuous ink jet coding. While a few high-value products like chocolates, snacks, oils, and so on have already started using laser printers to enhance their product coding and image.
End words
The coding and marking industry in India have seen a huge surge in business over the past few years, with inkjet, laser, and digital printing technologies being widely used. Digital printing enables multi-product, low-volume printing in a shorter time frame and is cost-efficient. It has also improved supply chain efficiencies and simplified variable data on packaging. Digital printing also reduces ink waste as it ejects ink only onto the parts that need printing.
With rapid growth and development in the country, the manufacturing industries demand faster, more reliable, and more user-friendly solutions. New-age coding and marking solutions offer various types of solutions, ranging from traditional inkjet printers to the latest laser printers.
Coding on food products ensures transparency, safety, and compliance while empowering consumers with essential information about the food they consume.
Coding allows for easy tracking and tracing of food products throughout the supply chain, enabling faster and more efficient recalls in case of contamination or safety issues.
Many countries have regulations requiring specific information, such as ingredients, nutritional values, allergens, and country of origin, to be clearly displayed on food packaging. Coding facilitates compliance with these regulations.
Coding helps consumers make informed choices by providing important details about the product, including ingredients, nutritional information, and potential allergens.