ate coding is a legal and operational requirement for food manufacturers in South Africa. Clear, legible product information allows consumers, retailers, and regulators to identify expiry dates, batch numbers, and traceability details with confidence.

Inconsistent or unreadable codes can result in rejected stock, costly recalls, or non-compliance with food safety standards — risks that no manufacturer can afford.

While exact requirements vary by product type, most food packaging in South Africa must include:

South African food producers often operate in demanding environments. Common challenges include:

Different packaging materials and production speeds require different coding solutions.

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printing

CIJ printers are widely used in food and beverage applications due to their ability to code reliably on bottles, cans, pouches, and films — even at high speeds or in humid conditions.

Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Printing

TIJ systems are often used on cartons, sleeves, and labels where high-resolution print quality is required. They are well suited to secondary packaging and lower-speed applications.

Laser Marking

Laser systems create permanent, consumable-free codes on cartons, plastics, and glass. They are increasingly adopted where durability and minimal ongoing costs are priorities.

The correct solution depends on substrate type, line speed, environmental conditions, and compliance requirements.

To ensure consistent compliance, food manufacturers should focus on:

Reliable date coding is not just about the printer — it is about long-term operational stability.