Printing, labelling and coding: labelling without the labels

One of the more drastic approaches to printing and labelling in the food and drink manufacturing space has been to remove printed labels from the equation entirely. We have in the past seen examples of lasers being used to print directly on to food. The next step being explored, for example, by Domino Printing Sciences has been to use laser technology to ‘print’ codes into films used on food products.

The printing service provider describes its D-Series CO2 laser coders as an additive-free solution for food manufacturers using NatureFlex compostable cellulose films. The printing firm has collaborated with global packaging film producer Futamura to assess the suitability of laser coding for such film products.

Following initial suitability testing, the D-Series CO2 laser was used to code the film and achieved a ‘clean, crisp, white code’ with no impact on film integrity or chemical composition. Moisture barrier properties were also unaffected.

Dr. Stefan Stadler, team lead at the Domino Laser Academy predicts that requests for compostable solutions will become more prominent in the coming years.

“We are ready and willing to work with any brand exploring these new materials to help find the right coding solution for their individual requirements,”​ he continued.

The films are designed to meet all the global standards for industrial composting, including BS EN13432, and are certified as home compostable under the OK Compost Home standard.

The option of laser coding a message onto the NatureFlex flexible film does not require additional materials on the compostable substrate, which could complicate final certification.

Clear cut winner​

Six different variants of NatureFlex compostable film have been analysed, with Domino’s D120i laser found to have provided the best clarity and results at high printing speeds.

Amaia Cowan, Futamura UK business development manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “We were reassured by Domino’s scientific approach to substrate testing and coding and willingness to provide us with the results and assurance that we needed to confirm that laser coders are a suitable solution for our compostable films.​

“The results from the project are very positive. This new coding method will enable the inclusion of a message to consumers on the film itself, without printing. As no additional materials are added to the compostable films, seeking certification of the final packaging will be straightforward.”​

The quality and clarity of the codes make laser coding on NatureFlex flexible film a good choice for food manufacturers looking to create best before dates and batch codes. However, it also suits more complex designs and messaging, including graphics and scannable 2D codes.

Pressure to reduce food and drink packaging and growing consumer demand for transparency from manufacturers have been important catalysts in the development of laser technology.

Regulatory compliance and production information specialist Ashbury argues that Quick Response (QR) codes could offer an effective solution to the ‘space versus information’ challenge faced by brands when designing new labels.

QR Codes​

Janet Dalzell, senior regulatory advisor at Ashbury, explains: “The majority of UK consumers trust food labels, according to the new report by the Food Standards Agency ​[FSA] (see box below). But they’re growing frustrated by how difficult it can be to ‘get to the truth’ when it comes to making food choices.​

“Three in five (61%) say they often feel foods labelled as ‘healthier options’ are unhealthy in other ways, and 37% want access to more consistent health information. ​

“Consumers are thirsty for more information, but of course there’s only so much room available on a label to convey messages that align with what consumers want to know. It’s a challenging task for brands to balance mandatory legal information with their own marketing and sales objectives. There’s lots to consider, such as animal welfare, sustainability and environmental credentials, recycling, and more detailed product origin information all on the horizon.”​

The alcohol category has become a hotbed of labelling innovation, with electronic means of providing information gaining ground. This has largely been in part due to recent changes in EU law.

Beverages are still subject to general labelling requirements, such as naming the product and highlighting allergens. However, drinks containing more than 1.2% alcohol by volume are not required to display an ingredients list or nutrition information.

The EU was required by Regulation 1169/2011 to review this exemption for alcohols, with the process leading to the industry adopting a self-regulatory proposal. But in early 2021, the Beating Cancer Plan announced mandatory indication of ingredient and nutrition information for alcohols.

EU Rules​

In December 2021, the Commission required the mandatory labelling of ingredients and nutrition indication for wines and aromatised wine products by September 2023. According to Dalzell, this may be on the label or via electronic means such as QR codes. 

“The potential for product information to appear online as opposed to on, or with, the packaging of the product, is certainly an interesting one​,” says Dalzell. “In theory, online information can be adapted and updated quickly, is capable of providing additional information to those who are interested, can be adapted for many languages, and can be accessed from personal devices.​

“One of the biggest challenges that brands and consumers face is that this electronic approach to provide mandatory food information is not allowed just yet. There’s a risk that some consumers, less tech-savvy or unable to access such information, could be left feeling isolated or marginalised with the introduction of digital labelling, which undermines one of the basic premises of food information – the ability for consumers to make an informed choice. ​

“Until further developments are made, it will continue to be a case of striking the right balance between what brands must include on their labels vs. what they want to include on their label.”​

Stepping back from the marvels of modern technology, sometimes the best solution is to take a more grounded and tactile approach to labelling problems in food and drink. For all the advances in laser technology and the use of the internet as a replacement for printed details, when it comes to the supply chain, being able to give a label a simple glance to know the condition of a product can be a huge time saver.

With this in mind, Oli-Tec's smart labels use ‘advanced technology’ that mirrors the decay cycle of the product being labelled. They are thereby able to convey information about the journey of any product with a shelf-life of between five and 15 days. These ‘smart labels’ gradually transition in colour from yellow to red, changing more slowly in cool temperatures and more quickly in warm conditions at predictable, repeatable rates.

Oli-Tec can tailor this technology to whichever product is being labelled, using customisable expiration periods and personalised graphics.

What’s more, the labels are made from standard recyclable label stock materials and can be activated and automatically applied using traditional high speed label applicators.  

The producer claimed their smart labels could also help to cut food waste, a claim that comes at a time where a number of food and drink firms have stepped up their programmes to become carbon neutral.

Environmental concerns​

It demonstrated that the use of smart labels reduced in-store food waste by 20%. Similar reductions could conceivably be achieved in consumers' homes if they had smart labels with a 'call to action' visual indicator instead of having to rely on labels carrying 'use-by' or 'best-before' dates.

Nik Richardson, chief executive of Oli-TecTM, explained: “We developed the Oli-TecTM label technology with converters, retailers and consumers in mind. We wanted to make it a technology that is easy to integrate into the complex processes in the supply chain and in-store, so each label could play some part in reducing waste. ​

“We have also strived to develop a simple visual indicator that will help consumers to see when food is going off. They can then decide whether to use it, freeze it or cook it.”​

The world of printing and labelling within the food industry continues to evolve to match the needs of not just the producer, but the consumer as well. As new innovations explore the role of a label on food and drink, the question now is not how much you can get on a label, but how feasible it is to get away from printing them entirely.