What Is GS1 and Why Is It Important?

In the demanding and evolving food and beverage industry, when new traceability and food safety requirements arise quickly, food manufacturers must ensure their products are traceable and easy to find.

If you are looking for ways to boost food safety, food traceability, and operations, GS1 can help. With a global network of nearly 2 million user companies, GS1 standards are the foundation of product identification, barcode labeling, and supply chain transparency.

Their long-standing presence in the industry demonstrates their impact on the supply chain,  food safety and regulatory compliance, and seamless business operations.

In this blog, you will learn who GS1 is, how it can help your food businesses, and how chewing gum relates to this.

What Is GS1?

GS1 is a global non-profit organization that creates the framework for standardized product identification, barcoding, and traceability. It helps seamlessly communicate data across supply chains, including food and beverage manufacturing.

There are 24 mandatory attributes to synchronize each product with the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GS1 GDSN):

1. GLN of Source Data Pool
2. GLN of Data Source
3. GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
4. Target Market Country Code (Target Market Subdivision Code is an optional part)
5. GPC (Global Product Classification)
6. State
7. Date Attributes
8. Information Provider of Trade Item
9. Hierarchy Level per GS1 Code List.
10. Brand Name
11. Functional Name
12. Base Unit Indicator (Y/N)
13. Consumer Unit Indicator (Y/N)
14. Despatch Unit Indicator (Y/N)
15. Invoice Unit Indicator (Y/N)
16. Orderable Unit Indicator (Y/N)
17. Variable Measure Indicator (Y/N)
18. Returnable Packaging Indicator (Y/N)
19. Batch/Lot Number Indicator (Y/N)
20. Non-Sold Item Returnable Indicator (Y/N)
21. Marked Recyclable Indicator (Y/N)
22. Height & Unit of Measure
23. Width & Unit of Measure
24. Depth & Unit of Measure

However, only the first seven are required to register products in the GS1 Global Registry, and 17 additional attributes are needed for data exchange across the network.

The History of GS1 US

It all started in 1973 when the Uniform Grocery Code Council (UGPCC) chose the Universal Product Code symbol as a single standard for product identification. UPC was the first GS1 barcode, and it’s still used today.

In 1974, the Uniform Code Council (UCC) was established as a nonprofit organization that oversees the implementation of the new barcode system. The organization managed UPC barcodes and product identification standards in the US.

The notable date for GS1 is June 26, 1974, when a pack of Wrigley’s gum at a Marsh supermarket in Ohio was scanned with a GS1 barcode for the first time ever. Now you know what chewing gum has to do with it.

In 1990, the UCC partnered with EAN International to co-manage global standards. In 2000, GS1 was already present in 90 countries. Finally, in 2005, the organization was renamed GS1 and launched globally.

Now, GS1 is present in 115 countries, and it’s the GS1 US that oversees barcodes in the U.S. As you already know, with about 2 million users worldwide, more than 6 billion daily transactions are powered by GS1 barcodes.

The organization continues its activities worldwide and supports food and beverage manufacturers by providing tools to improve transparency, prevent food fraud, and facilitate recalls.

Key GS1 Standards and How They Work

GS1 standards help food businesses identify, capture, and share information about products, locations, etc. You can use GS1 standards based on the sequence: identify, capture, share, and use.

Identify

GS1 identification keys enable information systems to accurately refer to real-world entities such as trade items, logistics units, physical locations, documents, service relationships, etc.

Key Identification Keys are:

• Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
• Global Location Number (GLN)
• Other GS1 Identification Keys (ID Keys)

Capture

GS1 data capture standards include barcodes and radio-frequency identification (RFID) data carriers, ensuring product and supply chain data can be easily collected, stored, and shared. 

GS1 Identification Keys and supplementary data can be attached directly to products, shipments, or locations for easy tracking. GS1 also ensures that scanners, printers, and software systems work consistently, allowing businesses to read, print, and process the data smoothly across different applications.

GS1 capture standards include:

• GS1 Barcodes
• 2D Barcode Technical Details
• RFID and EPCIS
• Imaging and Product Package Measurements

Share

GS1 information-sharing standards help enhance electronic communications for exchanging data (such as master, transactional, and visibility event data) between applications and trading partners.

Additionally, discovery and trust standards are essential for secure data exchange.

GS1 Share Standards:

• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
• GS1 Data Synchronization – GDSN & GDM
• GS1 Traceability Standard

Use

Food businesses must decide which standards to choose or combine to improve processes, such as food traceability. 

Importance and Benefits of GS1 for Food Manufacturers

GS1 is present worldwide and significantly simplifies supply chain management. Here are some reasons your business needs GS1 integration and what impact it can have.

GS1 helps standardize product identification and labeling

Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) and standardized barcodes by GS1 ensure correct product identification and labeling. This way, manufacturers can prevent mislabelling, maintain food product consistency, and streamline automated inventory management and POS (point-of-sale) scanning.

GS1 for risk reduction and recall management

Using GS1 barcodes, batch numbers, and traceability data makes you recall-ready. It helps you identify and discard affected products, minimize financial losses, and maintain consumer confidence.

The key is your ability to quickly and accurately respond to supply chain disruptions – GS1 helps achieve this.

E-commerce and retail integration

Integrating GS1 standards is essential for food manufacturers selling through retailers, wholesalers, and online platforms. For instance, if you want to sell at Walmart, your products must have a GS1 barcode. GS1 is necessary for most online marketplaces.

Ensuring food safety compliance

GS1 standards help food manufacturers comply with the FDA, USDA, and other regulations. For instance, enabling structured product and location data can ensure FSMA 204 compliance.

You will also enable accurate allergen and ingredient labeling and ensure a smooth supply chain by following traceability requirements.

GS1 Standards in Food Traceability

GS1 is critical to food traceability, and food manufacturers use barcodes, RFID tags, and other traceability technologies to ensure product tracking and compliance. The Global Traceability Standard provides a comprehensive framework for implementing interoperable traceability systems across supply chains.

The standard outlines the essential requirements for tracking products throughout their lifecycle, from raw material to finished goods and delivery.

With GS1’s standardized identification keys, barcodes, and data-sharing protocols, businesses can achieve full traceability and supply chain efficiency, safety, and transparency. The standard can be easily implemented across various industries and sectors.

GS1 US is a powerful way to support your FSMA 204 compliance efforts, as it can help you get detailed information on the product journey.

Lastly, barcodes and QR codes from GS1 can help you build consumer confidence and trust by proving food authenticity and allowing customers to review the product journey.

Businesses can’t do without GS1 today, especially regarding the food traceability rule. Contact us to get FSMA 204 support from FoodReady!

FoodReady Partnership With GS1 US To Boost Traceability 

FoodReady food traceability software has always been striving to help manufacturers ensure food traceability across the supply chain and comply with stringent regulations. As part of this mission, FoodReady partnered with GS1 US.

Now, you can integrate FoodReady and directly access GS1 identifiers, including Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) and UPC (Universal Product Code).

FoodReady customers can use verifiable GS1 product identification numbers, allowing them to grow. Moreover, you will comply with marketplace requirements and sell your products at the most prominent marketplaces, including Amazon or Walmart.

You will worry less about noncompliance with GS1 requirements and food safety standards. Last but not least, this is a great way to protect your food and ensure product authenticity, minimizing the risk of food fraud.

Additionally, FoodReady offers even more opportunities for business growth, productivity, product tracking, supply chain visibility, and food safety. Book a demo today to learn more about GS1 opportunities and full functionality.

Conclusion

GS1 US provides solutions for standardized product capturing, identification, and data sharing, helping food manufacturers comply with regulations and stay a market leader in today’s fast-paced food and beverage industry.

Integrating GS1 solutions will help ensure food safety, guarantee accurate product identification, prevent mislabelling, and sell your products with the most reputable US marketplaces.

GS1 is pivotal in ensuring food traceability. It can help you achieve compliance with traceability regulations, like FSMA 204 (food traceability rule), by enabling efficient product tracking and monitoring.

We recognize the value of GS1 US in optimizing food manufacturing operations and the importance of food traceability and supply chain visibility. As a proud GS1 US channel partner, FoodReady can help food businesses get UPC codes directly through our partnership! Contact us for more information!

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