Print BBD (best-before dates)

Legal requirements for indicating the best-before date (BBD)

The best-before date (BBD) is a statutory labelling requirement on packaged foods. The legal basis for this is the EU Food Information Regulation (FIR), in particular Article 9 and Article 24. In Germany, it is supplemented by the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB).

The best-before date indicates the date until which a foodstuff retains its typical properties - such as flavour, consistency and nutritional value - if stored properly. However, it is not an expiry date: food may also be sold and consumed after the best-before date, provided it is still in perfect condition. In this case, it is the retailer's responsibility to check the quality.

A special case is the use-by date, which is mandatory for perishable products such as fresh meat or fish. After this date, the product may neither be sold nor consumed - there is a strict sales ban.

High print quality: Thermal inkjet technology enables an exceptionally high print resolution. The result is razor-sharp BBD information that is easy to read and durable.
Flexibility: TIJ printers can print on a wide variety of surfaces, be it cardboard, plastic, glass or metal. This makes them ideal for labelling products in a wide range of industries.
Speed: The printing speed of TIJ printers is impressive. They can print thousands of barcodes per hour, which significantly increases efficiency in production environments.
Easy integration: The compact size and ease of use of TIJ printers make them easy to integrate into existing production lines or labelling systems.
Variable data: TIJ printers enable the printing of variable data such as best before dates, production dates, serial numbers and more. This is crucial for traceability and quality assurance.

Thermal inkjet printers offer a reliable solution for efficient BBD printing in various industries. Their high print quality, flexibility and ease of integration make them a valuable technology in the modern labelling landscape. However, organisations should carefully consider the specific requirements of their applications and select the appropriate TIJ printers and inks to achieve optimal results.