< Previous20 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net LABELLING, CODING AND TRACEABILITY Companies are experimenting with positioning inlays within packaging materials, ensuring codes or tags survive temperature extremes, moisture, or handling stresses. In a cold chain, for example, labels that freeze or smudge lose value; in the past, that often meant manual inspection or costly waste. Now, new materials and engineering mean codes and tags maintain integrity in harsh conditions. Major retailers around the world are increasingly demanding that their suppliers provide proof of traceability, not merely labels that meet regulatory minimums. For private- label suppliers, contract manufacturers, and exporters, systems that deliver both traceability and flexibility (e.g. multi-language labelling or variable data printing) are becoming differentiators. The ability to switch rapidly between SKUs without manual reconfiguration, to alter label information (batch, origin, allergen status), or to generate traceability reports at the touch of a button is becoming a core requirement. Another angle gaining traction is sustainability. Labelling and coding systems are being redesigned to reduce environmental impact: inks that are easier to recycle or that degrade more cleanly, label substrates that are compostable or have lower carbon footprints, and tags that do not © stock.adobe.com/Ganna Zelinska 22 Á Your food. Your label. In an era where efficiency and customisation are key to staying competitive, businesses across various industries are increasingly turning to in-house label printing solutions. DTM Print, a leading provider of innovative printing technology, is at the forefront of this shift with its advanced LX-Series Color Label Printers, notably the LX4000e and LX610e models. Traditionally, companies relied on external vendors for label printing, often leading to longer turnaround times and higher costs. By integrating LX-Series printers into their operations, businesses can now produce high-quality, vibrant labels internally, gaining greater control over their branding, packaging, and product labelling processes. Many companies across all sectors, especially food and beverage, are already experiencing the benefits of in-house label printing with solutions by DTM Print. The ability to quickly adapt labels for new products, seasonal campaigns, or regulatory changes enhances agility and responsiveness in a competitive marketplace. As sustainability and branding become more crucial, the LX-Series label printers also support eco-friendly materials and inks, aligning with modern environmental standards. Their compact design ensures they fit seamlessly into existing workflows without requiring extensive space or infrastructure changes. Bringing label printing in-house with the LX-Series offers a strategic advantage for businesses seeking greater flexibility, faster turnaround times and superior quality. With these reliable and innovative solutions, companies can elevate their branding efforts and streamline their packaging processes. For more information about DTM Print’s LX-Series Color Label Printers visit https://dtm-print.eu. Yo o Fru .doo ebah ltiw ooY MTy Ds bnoitulog snille a Lur tnirM P .leb informationinformation FormoreFormore fdd.dtm-print.eu y It‘s all about you and your product We provide label printers and customisable printing solutions to help you produce high-quality,, brand-elevating labels that support your corporate vision. Be flexible Our adaptable printers offer unparalleled versatility, handling heavy-duty labels, intricate custom shapes, diverse materials and various print formats to meet your unique requirements effortlessly. *D yWarranty & quality DTM Print offers a 36-month warranty*, supported by an accessible support team, easy-to-use printers and resources like local partners, a know-how website, video tutorials, online training and on-site visits. ialserurD orfAdvantages foood packaging ODTTMGenuine Label Stock offers watr,, heat and UV resistant maters, as well as deep-freeze suitable materials, ensuring label longevity in challenging conditions and compatibility with diverse packaging materials. * After product registration. According to our warranty terms and conditions listed at register.dtm-print.eu.22 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net LABELLING, CODING AND TRACEABILITY impede packaging recyclability. Some smart labels’ metallic or plastic components have in the past threatened to complicate recycling streams; innovators are now working with packaging recyclers and material science firms to ensure traceability tags or inlays do not pollute recyclable material or add undue burden to waste- management systems. Digital integration of labelling and coding with traceability platforms is something many manufacturers are now opting for. Where once record-keeping was tacked onto labelling or coding systems after the fact, now the hardware and software are being conceived together. Traceability data flows into company-wide management systems (quality, inventory, supply chain, auditing), enabling predictive insights: anticipating where delays might occur, spotting discrepancies in batches, or flagging risks before they become critical. For example, real-time scan data from labels or RFID can feed into dashboards, enabling operations teams and compliance officers to monitor in- bound materials, finished goods, and the flow of returns or recalls. Cost is still a concern: adopting more sophisticated coding, labelling, and traceability systems isn’t free. Small to mid- sized producers may struggle with up-front capital, and questions remain over return on investment. But the economics are shifting. As hardware costs fall, and as software-as- a-service (SaaS) models enable traceability systems to be deployed without huge capital outlays, more manufacturers are able to see the paybacks: fewer recalls, reduced waste, fewer regulatory penalties, smoother exports, and in many cases stronger relationships with major retailers who prize traceability. Labelling and coding technologies built now with flexibility, digital connectivity and environmental responsibility in mind will provide a competitive edge. Those firms that adopt traceability systems not just to comply but to build trust, reduce risk, and support demand for provenance, will find themselves ahead in an increasingly unforgiving marketplace. © stock.adobe.com/metamorworks Accur efoodlabat belling reothrB sue cviG Accur o sgnllieba ldoo fr rale cros mremots made easy e food labat snoitul h tiy wtri belling Tougher leg expectation labelling is And if you ne easier for you could be just rotationlabel gislation and rising custom ns mean that accurate foo more important than ever eed technology to make this u, a Brother label printer solut t what you need. From stock sinthekitchentoPPDSlabe mer od r. tion els rotation label for the count to label your Whether you PC-connecte more advanc third-party fo can help crea s in the kitchen to PPDS labe er, our label printers make it e foood quickly and accurately. need a simple solution using ed printer and free software o ced solution, integrating with ood management system, we ate the perfect system for you els easy g a or a a e u. revcosio dt htor btsiiV ad loof fge onal rlur fur o nilleba-ldoof/uk.co.re .snoitulog snillbe de R coe Qhn tacr s og 24 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CONTROL AND AUTOMATION A row of ripe strawberries moves along a conveyor, each one illuminated under bright white lights. Instead of hands picking through them, a robotic arm lowers a soft suction pad and lifts the fruit with barely a mark left behind. The scene looks clinical, NEW AIR HEATER SERIES LHS 210 / 410 COMPACT & POWERFUL Automation aims to deliver freshness without compromise As the food and drink industry embraces robotics and data-driven systems, producers are under pressure to maintain the natural appeal consumers expect while meeting demands for safety, scale and consistency. Automation aims to deliver freshness without compromise Food & Drink International 25 www.fdiforum.net CONTROL AND AUTOMATION © stock.adobe.com/thataroth even futuristic, but the goal is simple: deliver fruit to the shelves that looks as though it has just been picked from the field. Across the food and drink industry, machines now carry out tasks that were once manual. Producers cite the same pressures again and again: fewer workers willing to take repetitive jobs, higher retailer demands for uniformity, and stricter hygiene rules. But in sectors built on freshness, the technology has to do more than speed up the line. It has to protect the texture, taste and appearance that reassure shoppers they are buying something natural. That concern has slowed the move to automation in fresh produce compared with other sectors. A bruised apple or a damaged berry is enough to make a customer turn away, and reputation is hard to recover once Tel: +44 (0)1707 331111 info@welwyntoolgroup.co.uk www.welwyntoolgroup.com EASY CONNECTION HOT AIR RECYCLING ECONOMICALCOMPATIBLE NOZZLES HIGH AIR VOLUME OVERHEATING PROTECTION 26 Á26 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CONTROL AND AUTOMATION food is seen as over-processed. Yet new handling systems are addressing those fears. Soft robotics and vacuum grippers now replace the heavy clamps of older machines, while AI-driven vision systems can grade fruit by colour and ripeness without physical contact. Instead of stripping away freshness, these tools are being deployed to guard it. Hygiene is another area where automation is proving its worth. Machines built for clean- in-place cycles can be sanitised quickly, reducing the chance of contamination without harsh interventions that affect the product itself. In dairy and juice processing, faster and more reliable cleaning means changeovers happen with less disruption, and lines restart in conditions that satisfy the strictest audits. Far from distancing food from its natural state, this kind of automation can help ensure it reaches shelves in the safest condition possible. Reliability also underpins the sense of freshness. Every breakdown shortens shelf life, especially for perishable goods. BAG SEALING MACHINES RM Sealers remain a leading British manufacturer and supplier of high quality Bag Sealing Machines, also known as Rotary Band Sealers and Impulse Sealers. Call 01442 843387 to speak to a member of our team SEALERS © www.rmsealers.co.ukFood & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net CONTROL AND AUTOMATION © stock.adobe.com/Maksym Companies are investing in predictive maintenance, using data from sensors to identify faults before they cause spoilage. Temperature, humidity and handling pressure are all tracked in real time, making sure food maintains its natural quality throughout processing. With traceability logs to back it up, that monitoring gives retailers and consumers alike a measure of trust. For smaller producers, the risk is different. Automation can feel like a threat to the identity that sets them apart: an artisanal bakery or juice maker may fear losing the story of craft if machines become too visible. Modular systems are offering a compromise, allowing packaging or labelling to be automated while preparation remains by hand. This phased approach means firms can meet consistency standards without undermining the authenticity that draws customers in the first place. How automation is presented to the public BENCHTOP BAG SEALING MACHINE IMPULSE BAG SEALING MACHINE HORIZONTAL BAG SEALING MACHINE VERTICAL BAG SEALING MACHINE 29 Áwww.fdiforum.net Plan your campaign with Food & Drink International… ...your competitors are! As marketing is the vital ingredient for the success and growth of any business, we can offer advice and packages to suit all budgets. Speak to one of our experienced account executives. CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO? • Print • Online • E-Newsletters • Regular News • Topical Features The perfect medium to give your brand the best chance of being seen! Contact us below for our 2026 editorial schedule Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL INTERN NATION AL for Inno ffic tin i ing and on contreree f d W r WWa eehousin dstrbuton emperTe raatur Sustainabl e packkaging e INTERN NATION AL ackP aging ge focu Future or Col d st aag xpor de f Impor r t and e INTERN NATION inno Hea tio lth i Pouch P Processing INTERN NATION AL pac The ckag etot l and erryy y try yand p y er Bak ry and ec conf ctione Meat, poul ltt seaf o ood ackP aging m and design gmat erials MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net Food & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net CONTROL AND AUTOMATION matters too. A line of robotic arms in a sterile facility is not the image that convinces shoppers of freshness. Brands are learning to frame automation as a tool that reduces waste and improves safety, rather than as a way of churning out processed food. Some highlight the gentleness of new handling systems, others stress the sustainability gains from reduced spoilage. In both cases, the message is that automation is being used to keep food closer to what nature intended, not further away from it. The technology continues to move quickly. Hyperspectral imaging now allows producers to see inside fruit without cutting it open, assessing quality in seconds. Digital twins can simulate production changes before they are applied, avoiding unnecessary experimentation on the line. And with sustainability a growing priority, automation is being designed to reduce water, energy and raw material use. The farm-fresh feel is not being lost to industry; it is being rebuilt at scale. The strawberry on the conveyor belt is more than a piece of fruit. It represents the balance producers are trying to strike between efficiency and authenticity, scale and naturalness. Automation may never replace the image of a hand-picked harvest, but when designed with care, it can help ensure that what reaches the customer looks, tastes and feels just as fresh. 1% 14,/(0ă {ҋpyr~rҋy®vzrzѸv~r~rҋqv{ҕѸsҋ҄vyvҋrѸ{® ur®sy yv{rҋqwzr{¯Ѹ{v{ѸzѸ{vѸ~v{ҕ vu{Ѹ{®҄Ѹ{ҋ҄zrҋ~v{ҕryvzv{ҋrvzr® ҄Ѹ{zv{ҕr¯ e v{rҕ~ҋv{ҕ7 r{Ѹ~qv~r҄y v{Ѹ|~Ѹq҄vѸ{ yv{rpҋxr~vr҄ҋ{zѸ{vѸ~zѸv~rҋ҄~vv҄ҋy ҄Ѹ{~Ѹy|Ѹv{҄uҋҋsr~zvv{ҕprsѸ~rҋ{qҋsr~ pҋxv{ҕѸ~|~vѸ~Ѹ|ҋ҄xҋҕv{ҕ¯ v{sѸlzѸvr҄u¯҄Ѹz¬̧̧²²̦µ̥µ±̧²̦ © stock.adobe.com/I Viewfinder Next >