1d ago

Analog barcode interpretation

So because there is debate about apps, which emerged as bar-code scanners but require google Gemini AI access...

Your typical barcode has three starting digits, which identify the country, where the manufacturer is licensed. This does not strictly require the product to be made there. It is a starting point though. and you can do this easily. All codes with the three starting digits between 001 and 139 are licensed in the US

Example:

400 -> Manufacturer had his barcode licensed in Germany

807 -> Manufacturer had his barcode licensed in Italy, San Marino or Vatican

EDIT: 509 -> Manufacturer had his barcode licensed in the UK despite US product.

082 -> Manufacturer had his barcode licensed in the US

Still use your common sense. For produce check the country of origin, as often produce is sold under the brand of the reseller. Typical US imports include soy-beans and nuts.

4 comments

This isn’t exactly true. Barcodes can contain almost any Unicode string and some other things besides.
What you are talking about is the EAN (European Article Number). The rest is mostly accurate, but applies regardless of whether there is a barcode to go with the number.

This may work on production origin, but ignores the fact that parent company is located in US. So this is way can be helpful, but does not give 100% certainty.

But by the method you use in your first 2 examples, you start with the digit to the left of the barcode, reading digits 1, 2 and 3 of the 13-digit code. In your USA example, you start with the digit inside the barcode and read digits 2, 3 and 4 of the 13-digit code.
Following the same rule as your European examples would give 509, not 099, no?
- Thank you, i have edited it. It is a good example, why it doesn't give a 100% safe indication. E.g. the 509 is UK.
  I think this method is useful for lesser known brands. I looked for CocaCola labels and they are all over the world.