INNOVATIVE LABELING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY
From price labels and barcode stickers to logistics labels: the food industry uses labels for a variety of purposes. To ensure that they adhere well, are clearly readable and meet the strict food safety requirements, there are especially designed labeling systems for food.
A labeling solution for all cases
TAILOR-MADE LABELING OF FOOD PRODUCTS
Depending on the product to be labeled, the food industry has different requirements for labels and labeling systems. For example, the technology has to be able to reliably cope with very low temperatures in the production of frozen goods and very high temperatures in jam production. When filling flour, sugar or coffee, it can be dusty, and when filling drinks, it can be damp or wet. Automated labeling systems also have to be easy to integrate into production lines and just as easy to operate. And no matter what food is being produced or packaged: Labels, adhesives and inks have to be food-safe, comply with EU Regulation 1935/2004/EC and be approved by the BfR (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment). If an export to the USA is planned, the requirements of the FDA must be taken into account.
What is important for fully automatic labeling solutions?
- Compliance with all marking regulations (e.g. LMIV, LV, Wine Ordinance)
- Food-safe labels, adhesives and inks in accordance with EU, BfR and FDA regulations
- Very good adhesion of labels on damp, smooth and greasy surfaces
- Reliable operation under the environmental conditions of the food industry
- Low-maintenance and economical technology
- Individually customizable software
Numerous details from German and European standards are mandatory on food labels for legally compliant consumer information. These include the Food Information Regulation (LMIV) (EU) No. 1169/2011, the Lot Marking Regulation (LKV) and the Wine Labeling Regulation (EU Regulation 2021/2117). To ensure that internal logistics and the supply chain to the end consumer run smoothly, food is also labeled with logistics and transport labels. Food labels not only have to adhere well to primary and secondary packaging such as tubular bags, cartons and shrink film. If they are affixed directly to food, such as fruit, vegetables or bread, it is also important that they can be removed easily without damaging the skin or shell of the food.
Industrial labeling solutions are used throughout the food industry. Labels with product information, barcodes and data matrix codes are applied automatically using fully integrated systems. They support the identification, tracking and management of foodstuffs along the entire production and distribution chain.
Application examples for food labeling
- Fully automatic labeling of bottles and jars made of glass or plastic
- Applying QR code labels to primary packaging (2D in retail)
- Labelers integrated into production lines for transport labels (in-line)
- Machines for applying sealing labels
- Shipping labeling of pallets
- Dispensing systems for multiple labeling
- Semi-automatic labeling of wine and sparkling wine bottles
- Combination of label printer and inkjet printer for adding variable data
- GS1 transport labels for logistics
Discover the versatile labeling options for the food industry. Labels transport important information for consumer protection and logistics processes on packaged and unpackaged food.
REA Coding and Marking Solutions meet the strict legal requirements of the food industry and are also flexible, reliable and easy to use.
REA LABEL labeling systems are a reliable component in the modern production environment and ensure reliable processes.
The EU Regulation LMIV / EU No. 1169/2011 regulates which information must be provided on food packaging. This includes the name of the food, list of ingredients, best before date, net quantity, allergen labeling, origin labeling, nutrition labeling, alcohol content and other food-specific information.
In the Lot Marking Ordinance (LKV), the Federal Ministry of Health has stipulated that only foodstuffs marked with a lot number consisting of letters, numbers or letters and numbers may be put into circulation in Germany. This allows them to be clearly assigned to a production batch.
