Product Identification

Why does Product Identification Matter?

Accurate identification of products is the foundation of supply chain efficiencies - from the field through to the retail point-of-sale. The fresh produce supply chain is truly global so the language of business, including produce identification, is crucial to ensuring the right product arrives at the right place at the right time. IFPS efforts in produce identification include both standard setting in cooperation with global standards bodies (see Information Management & Standardisation) and, unique to the fresh produce industry, the establishment and management of the global IFPS Price Look Up (PLU) codes for produce sold to consumers loose/in bulk.

Designed to assist the produce industry in learning how to identify their products along the supply chain, an e-Learning module is now available to help make one of the sometimes most confusing supply chain processes easier to understand. The document Produce Identification in the Fresh Produce Industry was developed for all industry participants to gain foundational knowledge on this subject.

Implementation of GS1 DataBar for the Global Fresh Produce Industry

The Implementation of GS1 DataBar for the Global Fresh Produce Industry guide was created as a resource to assist with the implementation of the GS1 DataBar. The guide explains what a GS1 DataBar is, the benefits and challenges of implementation, the steps to begin using the GS1 DataBar, the regional requirements of Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States as well as Frequently Asked Questions for additional guidance.

This resource is available for download on the Resources Page.

Size Breaks/Variety Splits Within Existing PLU Codes

When a PLU Code application is approved for a specific variety or size when a PLU Code already exists with no specific variety or size named, the nomenclature for the existing PLU Code (the variety or size) will be changed to “Other”.

When applicant submits application requesting new size, existing PLU code becomes "All other sizes". Same with variety (e.g., red seedless grapes).

IFPS Color Code List

This Color Code List contains the colors to be used for fresh produce when implementing data standards and data synchronization.

About IFPS Product Identification Committee

The purpose of this Committee is to:

Facilitate the development of global product identification standards for use and adoption within the global produce industry
Identify all global Produce Product Identification initiatives currently underway
Align all global industry Product Identification initiatives by identifying and communicating gaps and overlaps between global initiatives
Monitor, guide, and promote standards for product identification for use within the global produce industry
Develop produce specific GS1 change requests where required