Barcodes für Frischprodukte und Feinkost: PLU, variables Gewicht und Preis
Barcoding fresh items: PLU codes for loose produce, variable-weight price labels from scales, and GS1 DataBar for the next generation.
Fresh Produce & Deli Barcodes: PLU, Variable Weight & Price
Fresh departments present unique barcoding challenges because every item has a different weight and price. From PLU stickers on apples to scale-printed deli labels, several systems work together to identify and price these variable-measure items.
PLU Codes
Price Look-Up (PLU) codes are 4-5 digit numbers assigned by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS). They identify loose produce items at checkout:
- 4-digit PLU: Standard produce (e.g., 4011 = yellow banana)
- 5-digit PLU starting with 9: Organic produce (e.g., 94011 = organic yellow banana)
- 5-digit PLU starting with 3: Experimental (reserved for future use)
PLU codes are typically printed on small stickers applied to individual fruits and vegetables. At checkout, the cashier keys in the PLU manually or scans a barcode that encodes it.
Variable-Weight Barcode Labels
For items sold by weight (deli meats, cheeses, bulk items), in-store scales generate barcode labels:
Prefix-2x Format (most common):
2 [Item #] [Weight or Price] [Check]
Example: 2 01234 00350 5 could mean item 01234 at $3.50 or 350 grams, depending on the store's configuration.
GS1 DataBar for Produce
GS1 DataBar offers a standardized alternative to prefix-2x codes:
- DataBar Omnidirectional: Encodes GS1 Standards & Identifiers">gtin-14/" class="glossary-term-link" data-term="GTIN-14" data-definition="14-digit identifier for ITF-14 barcodes on cases and pallets." data-category="GS1 Standards & Identifiers">GTIN-14 for pre-packed produce
- DataBar Expanded: Encodes GTIN + weight + price + expiry date
Benefits over prefix-2x: - Works across multiple retailers (not store-specific) - Encodes actual GTIN for supply chain traceability - Can include expiration dates for freshness management
Scale Label Design
A typical deli/produce scale label includes:
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Product name | Human identification |
| Weight | Net weight of the item |
| Unit price | Price per kg/lb |
| Total price | Calculated price |
| Barcode | Machine-readable data |
| Date | Pack date and/or use-by date |
| Tare weight | Weight of container (subtracted) |
Pre-Packed vs Loose
| Type | Barcode | Price Method |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-packed (fixed weight) | EAN-13 | Fixed price per pack |
| Pre-packed (variable weight) | Prefix-2x or GS1 DataBar | Price by weight |
| Loose (with PLU sticker) | None (manual PLU entry) | Weigh at checkout |
| Loose (with barcode sticker) | Prefix-2x | Scan at checkout |
Fresh Food Traceability
Regulatory requirements increasingly demand traceability for fresh food items. GS1 DataBar Expanded can encode batch/lot numbers alongside the GTIN and weight, enabling:
- Tracing contaminated produce back to the source farm
- Targeted recalls by batch rather than entire product lines
- Automated freshness management based on encoded dates
Implementation Tips
- Calibrate scales daily (weight errors create pricing disputes)
- Use moisture-resistant label stock for cold and wet environments
- Program scale PLU databases centrally and push to all store scales
- Train produce staff on correct tare weights for different containers
- Plan migration from prefix-2x to GS1 DataBar for better traceability