______________________________________________________________________________________________ Food
Packaging
evolving compliance requirements. And better stock visibility and freshness monitoring cut waste, directly improving margins.
There is also clear ROI from the consumer side. With QR scanning becoming part of everyday behavior- and the retail industry shifting to 2D barcodes by 2027- adoption is set to accelerate. As a result, smart, connected and interactive packaging is on track to evolve from a differentiator into a customer expectation.
In chilled and high-value categories, smart temperature-sensitive labels are being tested to monitor freshness across the supply chain, giving retailers the ability to proactively manage stock, reduce waste and guarantee quality.
Return on investment( ROI) and challenges
One of the biggest misconceptions about smart packaging is that it demands a huge upfront investment. In reality, cloud-based labelling platforms have lowered the barrier to entry significantly. The real challenge isn’ t printing a code on a pack- it’ s ensuring the data behind it is accurate, connected and accessible.
If labelling systems are fragmented, smart packaging quickly becomes complex. Integration with important business systems such as SAP and Oracle is essential so that every scan delivers reliable, relevant information at scale.
ROI is tangible across several fronts. Fewer recalls and faster response times reduce losses when issues arise. Dynamic labelling provides the agility needed to keep pace with
What’ s next for smart packaging?
Compliance will continue to push adoption, whether that’ s around sustainability, food safety or global traceability regulations. With AI, cloud platforms and IoT, we’ re moving toward intelligent packaging that adapts in real time. Think labelling that updates based on supply chain disruptions or local regulations.
Being able to dynamically generate labels and packaging content based on live business data is going to be essential as supply chains get more complex and consumers demand more information at their fingertips.
Smart packaging is no longer a nice-tohave. It is becoming the backbone of safe, transparent and efficient food systems. Businesses that act now will not only stay compliant but also build stronger consumer connections and more resilient supply chains. ■
Andy Meadows www. loftware. com
Andy Meadows is Vice President of Product at Loftware, the global leader in enterprise labeling solutions. Andy drives Loftware’ s strategy for connected packaging, digital product passport( DPP), and digital link engagement, empowering brands to deliver compliant, data-driven, and immersive product experiences. Loftware is a global leader in product identification and packaging. Its cloud-based solutions power real-time collaboration, ensure compliance, improve authenticity and deliver supply chain traceability from product development to consumer engagement
foodchainmagazine. com 19