Fictitious representation of 12 digit UPC symbol. Fictitious representation of glyph-type symbol We've all seen these symbols, no doubt. There are other graphic codes in use, as well; some look even more like alien glyphs. Nearly every product currently marketed on the shelves of stores, supply houses, warehouses, and other product handling entities in many parts of
the world have a UPC (Universal Product Code) or an EAN (European
Article Number) or another type of symbols printed on the product
labels and packaging. The numbers are for human reading; the bars and glyph type symbols are for digital reading, via electronic scanning devices.
These product codes and symbols tell the
following information:
UPC-12 digits:
-The first six digits represent the manufacturer's specific identification number.
-The next five digits represent the specific product identification number.
-The last digit represents a "check digit", which tells barcode scanners whether or not an item scanned properly. EAN-13 digits:
-The first two or three digits represent the country where the company
maintains registration (not necessarily country of product origin).
-The next four, five, or six digits (depending on how many digits are
used in country code) represent the manufacturer's specific
identification number.
-The next five digits represent the specific product identification number.
-The last digit represents a "check digit", which tells barcode scanners whether or not an item scanned properly. The glyph-type symbols (and there are others besides the one shown here) are intended to be read by camera-equipped cell phones and other mobile camera devices with the appropriate web-application software. Merely snap a shot of the symbol, and you will be linked to information about the product the symbol is attached to.
(c) 2008 C.R.H.
Good news at GoodGuide.com! I want to extend congratulations and accolades to GoodGuide.com, for coming out with their cell-phone application (iPhone) for scanning barcodes for product ingredient information; complete with GoodGuide's health, environmental, and other ratings. Right in the store; right while you shop! GoodGuide currently provides this kind of instantaneous data on thousands (and growing!) of consumer products, including processed foods, cosmetics, household chemicals, and more; through their (free?) iPhone(r) application. I am thrilled that this concept is now a reality! And, I am thrilled that GoodGuide.com made it happen! The idea is one that I have been hoping would come about for consumers; though I did not see how I could do it myself. I am glad to see it taking good form at GoodGuide. Hopefully, this will help consumers to resist the disease-related substances we are exposed to in everyday living. And, ultimately, perhaps manufacturers of those substances and products will be forced to concoct, create, manufacture and distribute safer products to what USED to be "an ignorant and gullible public".
Consumer Reports
Daily Health Tip
|
|