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GS1 DataBar

Looking for a better way to label loose produce and smaller items? Here’s what you need to know about using GS1 DataBar barcodes to improve scanning and tracking for hard-to-label products.

What is GS1 DataBar?

GS1 DataBar is a barcode designed for fresh items and small products that are difficult to label with traditional barcodes. It allows these items to be scanned quickly at retail checkouts instead of being searched manually in the system. Common examples include fresh fruit and vegetables, small cosmetics and DIY items.

A standard GS1 DataBar holds up to 14 digits for a GTIN. An extended version can store extra data such as weight, best-before date, batch or serial numbers - making it ideal for both product identification and traceability.

Benefits

  • Increases scan accuracy at checkout compared to manual price look-ups
  • Supports product verification and faster traceability during recalls
  • Enhances inventory control and improves product availability
  • Saves space on packaging for branding or messaging
  • Improves the experience at self-checkout for consumers
  • Scans more reliably than incorrectly sized EAN-13 or EAN-8 barcodes
  • Widely used for labelling fresh produce and unpackaged items

Breaking it Down

There are seven types of GS1 DataBar. Of these, four are approved for retail point-of-sale use:

Not Used at Checkout:
  • GS1 DataBar Stacked
  • GS1 DataBar Limited
  • GS1 DataBar Truncated

Common scenario examples

  • Fresh, loose produce
  • Variable-measure fresh produce
  • Small and hard-to-label consumer products
Fresh, loose produce

The compact size of GS1 DataBar makes it ideal for use on standard labels for many types of fresh, loose produce such as apples, mangoes, bananas and oranges. For fresh produce, only a GTIN-13 may be used, encoded in either an EAN-13 or GS1 DataBar format.

Variable-measure fresh produce

GS1 DataBar can be used on meat, seafood, cheese and similar products to include extra details such as best-before dates, country of origin, batch numbers and more.

Small and hard-to-label consumer products

GS1 DataBar is ideal for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, DIY tools and jewellery, helping conserve packaging space while improving scan performance at checkout.

GS1 DataBar Essential Checklist

  • Assign a unique GTIN – Each product variety, growing method and brand must have its own GTIN.
  • Use a 14-digit GTIN – GS1 DataBar supports GTIN-13, GTIN-12 or GTIN-8. Add leading zeroes to reach 14 digits.
  • Choose your barcode type – Pick one of four types depending on your product’s shape, size and packaging.
  • Include the PLU code – Smaller retailers that do not scan GS1 DataBar may still rely on PLUs.
  • No quiet zones needed – GS1 DataBar does not require extra blank space around the code.