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Efficient Foodservice Response (EFR) is an industry-wide effort to improve efficiencies in the foodservice supply chain and minimize costs. In fact, an independent study has identified $4.3 billion in costs to the foodservice industry which can be reduced through a coordinated EFR initiative.

The use of standard product identification and barcoding has been identified as a key EFR enabling technology, the basis from which significant supply chain efficiencies can be realized.

While barcoding is perhaps more familiar at the product level for the foodservice industry it is increasingly important to implement barcoding technology at the case and pallet level. As trading partners work to remove unwanted costs through continuous or just-in-time replenishment, capturing case level movement through scanning is critical

 The Benefits of Standard Product Identification and Barcoding

Barcodes are based on standard product identification numbers which are assigned according to UCC/EAN standards, a global numbering system that has been adopted as the industry standard in the United States and Canada.

Adherence to the UCC/EAN standards for numbering and barcoding provides many benefits to manufacturers, distributors and operators, including:

• Unique product identification numbers that can be used not only locally, by all   members in the supply chain, but also worldwide.
• Greater accuracy in communicating data.
• Facilitation of automatic sorting in distribution centres and warehouses.
• Accurate tracking of product movement and inventory.

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