For most manufacturers, coding or marking is just one of the steps along your production line. Food and beverage coding is especially complex, as the types of inks used in your Videojet® printers or perhaps your Willett coder must be food compliant. Additionally, there are many requirements regarding the labeling of food and beverage products. For those unfamiliar with the food industry, here is a look at the type of labeling and coding that is needed on these products.
Generally speaking, the labels on most food products are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration or the United States Department of Agriculture. There are several elements that are required to appear on all food packaging or food packaging labels. This information includes a general statement describing the product, the net quantity of the food itself, a list of all of the ingredients, a list of nutrition facts and the name and address of the distributor or manufacturer of the food item.
As part of the nutrition facts, it is required that you also list any common allergens that might be found in the product. These allergens include milk and eggs as well as peanuts, wheat, tree nuts, shellfish and soybeans. The manufacturer also must list the serving size and the calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein and sodium present in each serving. There are a few exceptions to this rule as coffee beans, flavor extracts, food coloring, tea leaves and a few veggies and fruits are exempt from nutritional labeling.
When it comes to coding, most of our clients use their Videojet coder or Videojet printer to apply information such as batch numbers, packing codes or expiration dates. With the exception of infant formula, expiration dates are not required by law. However, these are helpful tools for both supermarket managers and consumers.
Many people are quite confused by expiration dates in general and worry that food is unsafe once the expiration date has passed. Additionally, it can be confusing to understand the differences between coding such as “sell by,” “use by” or “use before.” In general, the “sell-by” dates are used to indicate to supermarket managers how long an item should remain on the shelf and sometimes is not an indicator of safety.
Generally, the “use by” and “use before” dates are only suggestions from the manufacturer and when they use their Videojet printer to add these codes they are simply providing information about freshness and not safety. Most products, if stored properly, are safe to use far after these “use by” dates have passed. However, the quality of the food will diminish over time. This is typically true of canned goods, bottled goods and many frozen foods. Of course, all foods must be stored properly and if you notice that one of the cans is damaged or perhaps seems to be bulging, you should toss this item and if the food appears odd or smells or tastes odd after opening, it is always best to err on the side of caution and toss the item.
When it comes to perishable foods, such as meat, poultry and eggs, it is important to pay close attention to the coding on these items. When a manufacturer using a Videojet printer to apply a “use by” date on foods such as bacon, turkey, ham, sausage, beef or other similar foods, it is best to always follow that “use by” date. Perishable items definitely can be unsafe if eaten after these dates. You can learn more about food safety and these dates by visiting the FDA and USDA websites.
Additionally, our clients also add coding to their food packages and beverage bottles to indicate batch numbers for traceability. That way if there is some type of a food recall, consumers easily can look at the product and identify if their specific items were affected by the recall.
Of course in order to apply these coding, a manufacturer needs coding equipment, such as a Videojet printer. If you are looking for a Videojet printer, we have many refurbished models for sale. Each of these Videojet printers has been restored to “like new” condition and each is far less expensive than purchasing a new coder straight from the manufacturer.
If you already have a Videojet printer or any other brand of coder, we also have a few other great cost-saving items. We formulate alternative inks for virtually every make and model of coder, as well as make-up fluids and cleaners. Additionally, we also sell high-quality alternative replacement parts for most brands and models of coder. All of these items can save you hundreds of dollars each year, if not thousands. At PrintJet, we are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices.
