GS1 for Food Traceability

Who is GS1?

GS1 is a not-for-profit, neutral, global collaboration platform that brings industry stakeholders together to develop standards-based solutions to address today’s supply chain challenges. With over two million user companies and 10 billion transactions every day, GS1 standards help ensure that there is a common language of business across the globe, which removes friction between business partners and improves performance and safety across the entire supply chain. Trustwell is a GS1 Solution Partner, and we’ve built our FoodLogiQ platform based on GS1 standards.

Understanding GS1 Barcodes and Identifiers

GS1 introduced the barcode in 1974 in collaboration with leaders from the grocery industry. Barcodes have since become a scalable instrument for businesses to share data in accordance with GS1 open standards. From farmer to retailer, GS1 standards create a common language that enables global systems of data exchange. GS1 barcodes are scanned over ten billion times each day and are the most widely used system of standards in the world.

Today’s global supply chains demand products that are easy to find, track, buy, and trace, with unique digital identity supported by standardized data. GS1 provides a common digital language to seamlessly communicate trusted data across supply chains.

GS1 identifiers, such as Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) provide globally unique identification for products. These are key for traceability data exchange, and when paired with advanced barcodes, such as a GS1-128, can be a powerful tool to automate lot-level data capture across trading partners.

Below is a sample GS1-128 barcode generated for FoodLogiQ to help illustrate the way data can be communicated. For Foodservice, the industry has agreed on 3 key components:

Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Date Information
Batch/Lot

Read about the GS1-128 Barcode for the food industry for more information on how to get started.

GS1 and FSMA 204 Compliance

GS1 standards play a significant role in helping companies comply with the requirements of FSMA 204, which focuses on enhancing traceability in the food supply chain. FSMA 204 requires companies in the food supply chain to maintain detailed records to help rapidly trace and track food products in the event of a food safety issue. This rule is about ensuring quick and efficient identification of potential sources of contamination to prevent or mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks.

Trustwell leverages GS1 standards is an effective way to ensure our clients can meet the traceability requirements of FSMA 204, enhancing overall food safety and compliance.

GS1 Standards for Product Identification

GS1 provides a globally recognized system for product identification, primarily through GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) and GLNs (Global Location Numbers) for unique location identification. These identifiers are crucial for tracking products at each stage of the supply chain, meeting the traceability requirements of FSMA 204.

Enhanced Data Sharing and Visibility

GS1 standards facilitate the capture and exchange of standardized data between different entities in the food supply chain. Data carriers such as GS1-128 barcodes enable lot-level traceability, as required in FSMA 204. When paired with standardized data sharing, this allows for the quick retrieval of information about the parties, events, locations, and trajectory of a food item, which is essential during a food safety investigation.

Electronic, Interoperable Records

Compliance with FSMA 204 requires electronic, interoperable records. GS1’s standards support the creation of such electronic records in a format that is universally understandable and exchangeable among various supply chain participants. This interoperability is vital for rapid response in the event of a food safety issue.

Facilitating Recall Management

In the case of a recall, GS1 standards can significantly streamline the process. Unique product and location identification and efficient data sharing enable companies to quickly identify affected products and take appropriate action, which is in line with the objectives of FSMA 204.

Get Started with GS1 Food Traceability Standards

Trustwell’s FoodLogiQ platform was built on GS1 standards in order to deliver true farm-to-fork traceability with standardized product information. Our traceability solution provides visibility at every step throughout the food supply chain. We have multiple GS1-certified staff members ready to help you.

Get Started Today

Trustwell is a GS1 US Certified Partner

GS1 Terminology

IDENTIFY

GS1 utilizes globally unique identifiers for products and locations. These can then be used across any supply chain to look up product information in a database, or be encoded into a data carrier and then capture information through scanning the barcode.

GS1 Company Prefix: the GS1 Company prefix is a unique identifier for your company assigned by GS1, used globally. Learn how to get your GS1 prefix using the GS1 US’s starters guide.

GTIN®: the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a 14 digit identifier for products or services exchanged in the supply chain. For products, companies will assign a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). These are comprised of four components: 1) Indicator Digit, 2) Your GS1 Company Prefix, 3) Item Reference Number, 4) Check Digit.

GTIN Example: 10847976000040

1 = Indicator Digit
0847976 = FoodLogiQ GS1 Company Prefix
00004 = Item Reference Number
0 = Check Digit

The Check Digit is calculated and there are several tools to create them. GTIN is an attribute in Trustwell’s FoodLogiQ platform, and the system can automatically generate the check digit, per the GS1 Standard. Read the GS1 US resource on GTIN assignment and use.

GLN: the Global Location Number (GLN) is a 13 digit identifier for locations, both physical or digital, which can be as specific as a location within a store or an instance in a database. GLNs can also be descriptive of legal entities. For products, companies will assign a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). These are comprised of three components: 1) Your GS1 Company Prefix, 2) Item Reference Number, 3) Check Digit.

GLN Example: 0847976000005

0847976 = FoodLogiQ GS1 Company Prefix
00000 = Location Reference Number
5 = Check Digit

The Check Digit is calculated and there are several tools to create them. GLN is an attribute in Trustwell’s FoodLogiQ platform, and the system can automatically generate the check digit, per the GS1 Standard. Read the GS1 US resource on how to use a GLN to maximize supply chain visibility and traceability for more information.

SSCC: Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC) are 18 digit numbers used to identify logistical units as they move through the supply chain. Learn how to create an SSCC.

CAPTURE

AI: Application Identifiers (AIs) are two-digit numerical prefixes that correlate to specific data elements. AIs are used in barcodes and EPC-Enabled RFID tags to denote the specific type of data being relayed. Read the Voluntary GS1-128 Barcode Guideline to reference the AIs used in the Foodservice Industry.

U.P.C.: the Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12 digit number used in barcodes that are human and machine readable to identify unique products at point of sale.

EAN-13: European Article Numbers (EANs) are 13 digit numbers used in barcodes that are human and machine readable to identify unique products at point of sale.

GS1 DataBar®: GS1 DataBar is one of the symbolic languages used in GS1 barcoding to encode data. DataBar barcodes are used for labeling fresh foods and can hold pertinent information like an item’s batch number or expiry date.

ITF-14: GS1 uses “Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)” barcoding for encoding GTINs. ITF barcoding encodes data in the white space between black barcode symbols, in addition to the black symbols, in order to store more data. These are traditionally used at the case level.

GS1-128: the GS1-128 (formerly UCC/EAN-128) is a variant of code 128, which can encode all ASCII alphanumeric characters in barcode format. GS1-128 defines both data types and formats that are used for exchange and logistics between entities. GS1-128 allows companies to share company, product, and shipping information including items like GTIN, ship date, lot/batch number, and more. Read the Foodservice Implementation Guideline for Case-Level Traceability Using GS1 Standards, as well as the Retail Grocery GS1-128 Implementation Guide for more information on how to get started. For tips on how to avoid common mistakes read our Common Mistakes on GS1-128 Barcode Implementation document.

GS1 DataMatrix: the GS1 Datamatrix is a two dimensional barcode, meaning data is stored across multiple dimensions. Data is encoded in a machine readable square or rectangle in the form of a black and white pattern, which can be read horizontally or vertically. These codes are used in cases where a larger data capacity is required.

GS1 QR Code: GS1 QR Codes are two dimensional barcodes, meaning data is stored across multiple dimensions. Data is encoded in a machine readable square or rectangle in the form of a black and white pattern, which can be read horizontally or vertically. Though similar in form, these codes have an even higher data capacity than the GS1 DataMatrix. GS1 QR codes are typically used to store extended packaging. GS1 QR codes must store GTIN information.

EPC®-Enabled RFID: Electronic Product Codes (EPCs) are stored using with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors to track products across the supply chain. RFID technology uses radio wave-based readers to activate and read tags that store data. These relatively cheap pieces of hardware allow product data transfer without a visual barcode.

SHARE

GDSN®: the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) hosts the GS1 Global Registry for millions of product data items online. The GDSN enables companies to share trusted product data globally.

EDI: the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a data messaging system that allows businesses to share standardized data electronically. EDI software is used to share product, logistics, and transaction documentation between businesses.

XML: eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is a flexible markup language used to encode, describe, and store data using various tags, nodes or elements. XML is similar to other markup languages like HTML, but is a more customizable way to digitize or share data.

EPCIS: Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) is a GS1 standard for formatting business event data, as well as the development of interfaces for sharing (capturing and quarrying) this data between multiple stakeholders. Events that may be included in EPCIS visibility data include points of product movement, transformation, or exchange.