The traditional barcode is being phased out in favor of digital labeling solutions that offer greater data capacity and consumer engagement, according to a report by New Food.
Digital labels, such as 2D barcodes and QR codes, enable product authentication, traceability, and personalized marketing. They can store batch numbers, expiry dates, and links to sustainability information, providing far more functionality than the standard linear barcode.
This shift is driven by the need for supply chain transparency and food safety. Standards organizations like GS1 are working on interoperability guidelines to ensure that the new digital labeling ecosystem is adopted smoothly across the industry.