WHY IN NEWS?

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of a QR code on food products for accessibility by visually impaired individuals.

WHAT IS QR CODE ?

  • A QR code (short for Quick Response code) is an array of black and white squares or pixels set in a grid that stores data for a machine to read.
  • A smartphone or camera can quickly process the information contained in a QR code’s specific arrangement of pixels.
APPLICATIONS OF QR-CODE: QR codes can be used to:
  • View a menu in a restaurant.
  • Get directions to a location in Google Maps.
  • Read more about a product or service.
  • Download an app on the App Store or Google Play.
  • Authenticate an online account.
  • Verify login details.
  • Access Wi-Fi by storing SSID, password, and encryption type.
  • Send and receive payment information.

HOW DOES QR CODE WORK?

  • QR codes work by arranging a series of black and white pixels into a unique pattern that encodes a string of data.
  • When scanned, the pattern of the qcode can be translated into human-readable information.
  • QR codes can store much more data, because they’re written both vertically and horizontally.
  • An active QR Code is one that a QR Code scanner is able to scan easily, prompting users to click on an external link upon scanning.
  • The external link delivers relevant information that the user is looking for.

INFORMATION STORED IN NEW FSSAI QR CODE:

  • The FSSAI has advised that these new QR codes should encompass comprehensive details about the product, including ingredients, nutritional information, allergens, manufacturing date, best before/expiry/use by date, allergen warning, and contact information for customer enquiries.
  • The inclusion of a QR code for the accessibility of information does not replace or negate the requirement to provide mandatory information on the product label, as prescribed by relevant regulations.
SYLLABUS: PRELIMS, CURRENT AFFAIRS