Food QR Codes
A food QR Code turns packaging into a portal that links consumers instantly to ingredients, recipes, offers, videos, sustainability stories, etc. With Scanova, you can create Dynamic QR Codes that can be updated and tracked from anywhere, in real time.
Why QR Codes on food packaging are becoming essential
QR Codes are increasingly becoming essential in the packaging of F&B products, serving as a bridge between consumers and brands. They enhance customer engagement by providing instant access to product information, promotions, and more. The growing adoption of QR Codes streamlines customer experience and allows brands to convey essential information without cluttering physical labels.
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QR Code adoption is accelerating worldwide. According to the GS1 US Consumer Pulse Survey, 79% of consumers are more likely to purchase products with a scannable barcode/QR Code that provides additional product information. -
According to Future Market Insights, the smart packaging market is growing rapidly and is expected to expand from 26.3 billion in 2025 to 40.8 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, as industries increasingly adopt intelligent and interactive solutions to strengthen safety, traceability, and consumer trust. -
Across 38 food and beverage manufacturers in Scanova's 2026 Food & Beverage QR Code benchmarks report, app download QR Codes averaged 9,382 scans and nutrition and regulatory label codes averaged 1,775 scans.
You can also harness the power of QR Codes for your F&B products
The best-performing QR Code on food packaging averages 9,382 scans. Fewer than 5 of 38 brands have built one.
We analyzed 6,355,668 real scans across 5,978 live QR Codes on food and beverage packaging.
App Store codes are 0.5% of the portfolio and 18.3% of all scans, nutrition and regulatory label codes average 1,775, and recipe codes post an 84% active rate on 8 of 38 brands.
What can your food packaging QR Code link to?
Boost social media visibility and brand recognition
Adding QR Codes to the packaging of F&B products can significantly boost a brand’s social media visibility through likes, follows, and shares. As consumers engage with the brand digitally, it opens an avenue for deeper interaction—enhancing brand recognition and fostering customer loyalty.
Adding QR Codes to the packaging of F&B products can significantly boost a brand’s social media visibility through likes, follows, and shares. As consumers engage with the brand digitally, it opens an avenue for deeper interaction—enhancing brand recognition and fostering customer loyalty.
Turn limited packaging space into a hub of information
Maximize the effectiveness of your product packaging, even when space is limited. Hershey's incorporated QR Codes, SmartLabels, on their chocolate packaging, allowing consumers to access detailed information about the product, such as nutritional facts, ingredients, allergens, etc.
Maximize the effectiveness of your product packaging, even when space is limited. Hershey's incorporated QR Codes, SmartLabels, on their chocolate packaging, allowing consumers to access detailed information about the product, such as nutritional facts, ingredients, allergens, etc.
Make data-driven decisions with scan analytics
By analyzing metrics such as total scans, precise GPS location, and other demographic data—companies can assess the effectiveness of their initiatives and refine their strategies accordingly. This data-driven methodology allows brands to generate leads and develop robust sales pipelines.
By analyzing metrics such as total scans, precise GPS location, and other demographic data—companies can assess the effectiveness of their initiatives and refine their strategies accordingly. This data-driven methodology allows brands to generate leads and develop robust sales pipelines.
Connect with customers through targeted offers
Using QR Codes on product packaging can help brands connect with existing as well as potential customers. By directing them to customized landing pages or promotional offers, brands can provide access to exclusive discounts, cashback deals, and more.
Using QR Codes on product packaging can help brands connect with existing as well as potential customers. By directing them to customized landing pages or promotional offers, brands can provide access to exclusive discounts, cashback deals, and more.
Convert every scan into a loyalty-building oppportunity
Incorporating QR Codes into loyalty programs can greatly enhance customer retention and engagement. When customers scan a QR Code, they can quickly sign up for loyalty programs and redeem rewards. Brands can offer personalized promotions and exclusive content through these codes too.
Incorporating QR Codes into loyalty programs can greatly enhance customer retention and engagement. When customers scan a QR Code, they can quickly sign up for loyalty programs and redeem rewards. Brands can offer personalized promotions and exclusive content through these codes too.
Collect consumer feedback through scannable forms
Scanning the QR Codes on the packaging can direct consumers to custom forms, where they can give their feedback. This way, brands can easily collect valuable consumer feedback and find out areas for improvement. This improves consumer experience in the long run.
Scanning the QR Codes on the packaging can direct consumers to custom forms, where they can give their feedback. This way, brands can easily collect valuable consumer feedback and find out areas for improvement. This improves consumer experience in the long run.
Provide customers with multiple recipe ideas
Brands can use QR Codes to link to recipes that incorporate their products. This not only promotes the product but also engages consumers by providing them with creative ways to use it. For example, a pasta brand could include a QR Code on its packaging that directs users to various pasta recipes.
Brands can use QR Codes to link to recipes that incorporate their products. This not only promotes the product but also engages consumers by providing them with creative ways to use it. For example, a pasta brand could include a QR Code on its packaging that directs users to various pasta recipes.
Make every pack retail-ready and globally traceable
Brands can use GS1 QR Code to encode GTINs, batch numbers, and expiry dates into one QR Code. The GS1 Digital Link is scannable by both POS systems and smartphones, enhancing product identification across supply chains. This turns every pack into a globally traceable, retail-compliant product.
Brands can use GS1 QR Code to encode GTINs, batch numbers, and expiry dates into one QR Code. The GS1 Digital Link is scannable by both POS systems and smartphones, enhancing product identification across supply chains. This turns every pack into a globally traceable, retail-compliant product.
Engage customers like never before with Scanova
How to create a food & beverage QR Code
Pick Your Route
Log In to Scanova. Click Create QR Code, then choose Quick Code, Build a Page, or AI Studio depending on what you want the scan to do.
Enter Content
After selecting a QR Code category, go ahead and add the required content like nutrition information, a recipe, a sustainability page, allergen disclosure, or a product landing page.
Create QR Code
Enter a name for your QR Code and add tags (optional). If you are creating a Dynamic QR Code, you can enable advanced features like QR Code Scheduling. Once done, click on Create QR Code.
Customize & Download
You can always personalize the QR Code design before downloading it. Or, directly test and download your code.
Real-world examples of food packaging QR Codes from top brands
Coca-Cola
Beverage brand Coca-Cola incorporated AI-driven QR Codes on the packaging of its limited-edition beverage, Coca‑Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar (launched in 2023). Scanning the AI-driven QR Code directed customers to a dedicated landing page where they can use a camera to filter photos of their current location, allowing them to visualize what it might look like in the future.
Beverage brand Coca-Cola incorporated AI-driven QR Codes on the packaging of its limited-edition beverage, Coca‑Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar (launched in 2023). Scanning the AI-driven QR Code directed customers to a dedicated landing page where they can use a camera to filter photos of their current location, allowing them to visualize what it might look like in the future.
Pringles
Pringles added a QR Code to the mustache of their mascot, Julius Pringles aka Mr. P, which directed users to a conversation tool. This tool offered access to mental health resources and facilitated meaningful discussions about mental well-being. The initiative was part of their collaboration with the Movember organization.
Pringles added a QR Code to the mustache of their mascot, Julius Pringles aka Mr. P, which directed users to a conversation tool. This tool offered access to mental health resources and facilitated meaningful discussions about mental well-being. The initiative was part of their collaboration with the Movember organization.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo added QR Codes to the packaging of its products, enabling consumers to access comprehensive information about the products. The information included nutritional details, allergens, ingredient lists, and more. This immediate access empowered customers to make well-informed purchasing decisions.
PepsiCo added QR Codes to the packaging of its products, enabling consumers to access comprehensive information about the products. The information included nutritional details, allergens, ingredient lists, and more. This immediate access empowered customers to make well-informed purchasing decisions.
Nutella
Nutella launched a limited-edition collection of 11 jars to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Each jar represents a different character and has a QR Code on it. By scanning the code, participants can enter to win exclusive Nutella merchandise and dedicate virtual jars with personalized messages to loved ones.
Nutella launched a limited-edition collection of 11 jars to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Each jar represents a different character and has a QR Code on it. By scanning the code, participants can enter to win exclusive Nutella merchandise and dedicate virtual jars with personalized messages to loved ones.
Get desired results for your packaged goods business with Scanova
Features that make Scanova ideal for food packaging QR Codes
Editability
Tracking & Analytics
Customizable Design
Lead Generation
We prioritize your security & privacy
Scanova adhered to stringent security standards like ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR, and SOC2
F&B packaging QR Code categories by Scanova
Best brands in the world trust Scanova
“The simplicity of this tool makes it easy for even non-tech users”
Easy to use and achieve successful outcomes with Scanova. The simplicity of this tool makes it easy for even non-tech users. Scanova solves the concern of tracking websites and data sheets efficiently.
Making your food packaging QR Code more effective
Customize QR Code design
Add a call-to-action
Link to mobile-optimized content
Ensure scannability
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The minimum dimensions for a QR Code should be 1 inch or 3 cm or 115 pixels, in both width and height.
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For colored QR Codes, opt for high-contrast combinations for foreground and background colors.
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Always maintain a ratio of approximately 10:1. If a QR Code needs to be scanned from 100 cm away, it should measure at least 10 cm in width.
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Ensure that the area around your QR Code is well-lit to improve the chances of successful scanning.
as per your brand.
Add frames to QR Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using QR Codes on food and beverage packaging
