A friend of mine sent me information on bar codes - if you look at the first 3 digits, you'll know where the product was made, i.e.:
690-695 made in China
740-745 made in Central America
471 - made in Taiwan
00 - 13 made in USA or Canada
40-44 made in Germany
Pretty handy information to know when you're shopping.
wow thats a neat fact. I am going to be on the lookout for that from now on.
Sharon,
I learned something new. Thank you. I am surprised to find out that the bar codes indicating whether the product is from US or Canada are not different and they both fall in the same range (00-13).
Thanks Sharon... that is good info. I'll be looking the next time I go to the store.
Thanks Sharon! Haven't been shopping lately, but I do look for "Made in America" when I do.
Happy New Year.
Another little tidbit to tuck away! I'll be looking at packaging in a whole new way now. Thanks!
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
I love it when I learn something NEW! and it seems to actively happen on ActiveRain...
Thanks, that is a nifty piece of information, thanks. Hope I have this list with me when I go shopping, i will put it into my blackberry notes.
I think that is pretty helpful info!
Handy indeed. I just put these codes in my wallet.
Very good info - thanks for posting!
Interesting fact. I had not even thought of it but it does make sense.
Wonderful post, had no clue. Thank you
That is cool, Sharon.
Thanks, never knew this..now if my brain will let me remember it I will be cool.
Hi Sharon... I always try to buy items made in the US of A! It's a great contribution to our economy!
I knew they meant something, I just did not have the breakdown and now I do. I at one time had the break down on the ties on bread to know what day they were baked on. I guess I will have to find it now that it is on my mind. Have a great 2009
Thank you all for your comments. Glad it's useful to you.
Gerry - there may be a better breakdown of Canada and the US, but it wasn't in the information from my friend.
Unfortunately Sharon your information is not totally correct ... the part of the code you refer to only inidcates the country that ISSUED the UPC code, NOT the country of origin
http://www.adams1.com/upccode.html
http://www.barcodeisland.com/ean13.phtml
are two references found via search engines, these explain more details about the codes, their usage and the types of codes used.
Interesting Sharon. The mints I am munching on - 41 for Germany.
David - thanks for the clarification.
Debbie - if it tastes good.....
Neat, I will start looking and comparing where items are made. Mindy