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In October of 1984, a guideline for assigning retail variable measure identification numbers was approved by GS1 US (formally the Uniform Code Council). Thus, the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) for meat products and other fresh food, retail products was born! The U.P.C. is a standard for encoding a set of lines and spaces that can be scanned and interpreted into numbers to identify a product.
GS1 US is responsible for approving the guidelines for assignment of GS1 Company Prefixes in the US – the key to the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) for both fixed weight and variable measure products. With recommendations from the meat industry and other industry groups, GS1 US approved a breakdown of numbers available to differentiate variable measure products into 13 categories. The U.P.C. numbers provide a standardized numbering system for all retail variable measure meat products.
The Variable Measure Bar Code is a twelve (12) digit code. This code differs significantly from the normal Fixed Weight Bar Code. The Variable Measure U.P.C. Code designates the product as sold by the pound and labeled on the premises.
The Code structure is as follows:
Components:
Benefits That The U.P.C. Provide Retailers:
- Gives the food retailer the ability to collect accurate meat department information, through scan data, that can aid in making management, sales and buying decisions.
- Enhances the ability to compile scan data for meat case management and syndicated information.
- Provides opportunity of “trace backs” from consumer to origin.
- Provides a system to develop market level or syndicated data.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Variable Measure U.P.C.
Is the U.P.C. numbering system madatory?
No. It's voluntary. However, uniformity and standardization within the industry will lead to better data collection and understanding of product movement.
What is the difference between a Random Weight System 2 and Type 2 U.P.C.?
Both are synonyms used to describe the U.P.C.
I'm a supplier. Is it possible for me to have a unique number that all retailers can follow?
Probably not because retailers control the U.P.C. and it will be very difficult to get all retailers to use yor specific number.
Can I use a U.P.C. number for one item this week and another item next week?
It's not recommended. It will lead to great confusion and inconsistent sales tracking. Using one number for more than one item is asking for trouble.
What is an URMIS Code?
It is the original four digit codes that were assigned to URMIS and Poultry Descriptions.
What is an Item ID Number?
It is a unique five digit number that identifies a variable measure item.
What is a Consumer U.P.C. Number?
It is the complete U.P.C. that is used on a product at the point of sale that the consumer actually sees.
Will the U.P.C. become nonexistent?
The U.P.C. is used globally and most likely will be used for many years to come. The cost and challenge of changing systems and standards within the entire supply chain can go on for a long time.
What is the major benefit of the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) over the U.P.C.'s Item ID #?
The GTIN is a unique number tha can be used globally.
Can I do traceability with U.P.C.?
No. The U.P.C. Item ID is not a unique identification number used by the entire supply chain. The U.P.C. used with a combination of other data elements can provide tracking and some limited tracing capablilities for meat products.
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