The role of portable markers in food traceability

In the complex and globalized world of the food industry, the traceability of goods and packaging has become essential to ensure product quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance. This practice, made possible through the use of portable markers and others, improves operational efficiency, promotes environmental sustainability, and helps protect consumers from potential health risks.

Labeling of goods in the food industry is crucial for tracking the journey of a food product from its origin to the end consumer. This process involves the identification, recording, and monitoring of every stage of the product's lifecycle. The portable markers we provide, such as inkjet printers and microdot marking devices, are emerging as essential tools for enabling accurate and efficient traceability throughout the supply chain.

Technologies for Traceability: Barcodes and Markers
For the past 50 years, the technology playing a fundamental role in the traceability of goods and packaging in the food industry has been the barcode. The barcode, which has become essential in managing business transactions and the operational and logistical steps in the supply chain for producers and distributors, has evolved over time. Today, it can contain a larger amount of data than in the past, such as production date, lot number, expiration date, and product origin, ensuring a higher level of transparency for companies and consumers. The simple scanning of a QR code via smartphone allows logistics operators to track and verify that the product's journey is correct and enables consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

All of this is made possible by markers capable of creating barcodes, QR codes, and variable data directly on the product or packaging, such as the jetStamp® 1025 Special Edition 2585 portable printer, ideal for printing on large areas such as pallets, cardboard, or packaging. The jetStamp we provide is equipped with a device for scanning barcodes and printing them directly on the packaging. It also scans QR codes and Datamatrix and prints alphanumeric text, date, time, graphics, and logos, even in multiple lines.

For engraving alphanumeric characters, logos, and 2D barcodes on very large and immovable items, the Pryor portable micro-percussion marker is the right solution. It is a tool for quality marking and tamper-proofing on materials such as aluminum, plastic, stainless steel, and hardened steel. The marker is flexible, portable, and lightweight, offering excellent performance even in challenging environmental conditions, with deep and fast marking capabilities.

Regulatory Compliance and Food Safety
In the food industry, these portable markers are essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and food safety. As previously mentioned, they can be used to print mandatory information on packaging, such as expiration dates and nutritional information. The devices we provide enable clear and legible marking and are valuable in the event of product recalls. Thanks to the coding, affected batches can be quickly identified and removed from the market, minimizing consumer risk.

Operational Efficiency and Waste Reduction
The use of portable markers contributes to operational efficiency. It reduces production times, improves the precision of markings, and allows for more accurate inventory management. This results in waste reduction, as products can be tracked and managed more efficiently throughout the entire supply chain.
In conclusion, portable markers play a crucial role in product traceability, helping to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Their flexibility, adaptability, and ability to create variable information on-site make them indispensable tools for companies seeking to maintain a high standard of traceability.