Food & Beverage Coding

Food & beverage lines live and die by clean, accurate date and lot codes — for freshness, food safety, and fast, precise recalls. Thermal inkjet makes that easy across the packaging mix.

What food & beverage lines code

  • Best-by, use-by, and expiration dates
  • Lot and batch numbers for traceability
  • Time, shift, and production counters
  • Barcodes and 2D / Data Matrix codes for retail and traceability

What drives it

  • Food safety and freshness requirements
  • Traceability and rapid, targeted recalls
  • Retail readiness as 2D codes roll out (GS1 Sunrise 2027)
  • High line speeds with minimal downtime

Why thermal inkjet

Thermal inkjet (TIJ) prints crisp, high-resolution dates and lot codes from sealed cartridges — water-based inks for porous cartons and corrugated cases, solvent inks for cans, bottles, films, and pouches. Variable data is automatic, maintenance is minimal, and cartridge swaps take seconds, so it keeps up with fast food & beverage lines.

Build your coder

Tell us your application

Share your product, substrate, and line speed and we’ll recommend the right setup.

Frequently asked questions

What coding does food & beverage packaging need?

Most food & beverage products carry a best-by or expiration date plus a lot or batch code for traceability, and often a barcode. Many brands are also adding 2D Data Matrix codes ahead of the retail transition to 2D scanning.

What is the best printer for expiration dates on food packaging?

Thermal inkjet (TIJ) is a popular choice for clean, high-resolution date and lot codes with low maintenance. The Anser X1 controller with HP 45 / IUT cartridges handles cartons, cases, and many rigid and flexible surfaces; ink chemistry is matched to the substrate.