How to read bar codes...

[FloridaValkRyder]

I did not know this. Interesting though, like for bike parts and stuff (Now Valk related)

SUBJECT: HOW TO READ BAR CODES...(VERY GOOD TO KNOW)
 
COPY THESE DOWN SO YOU WON 'T FORGET, COPY THEM DOWN ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST. ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY--NO MATTER WHAT THE FRONT OF THE BOX OR PACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK CAREFULLY!
WITH ALL THE FOOD AND PET PRODUCTS NOW COMING FROM CHINA , IT IS BEST TO MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LABEL AT THE GROCERY STORE, ESPECIALLY WALMART, WHEN BUYING FOOD PRODUCTS. MANY PRODUCTS NO LONGER SHOW WHERE THEY WERE MADE, ONLY WHERE THE DISTRIBUTOR IS  LOCATED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THE BAR CODE TO TRACK IT'S ORIGIN. THIS MAY BE USEFUL TO KNOW WHEN GROCERY SHOPPING, IF IT'S A CONCERN TO YOU. GREAT WAY TO "BUY USA & CANADA " AND NOT
FROM CHINA!!
THE WHOLE WORLD IS CONCERNED ABOUT CHINA-MADE "BLACK HEARTED GOODS".
CAN YOU DIFFERENTIATE WHICH ONE IS MADE IN TAIWAN OR  CHINA ?
IF THE FIRST 3 DIGITS OF THE BARCODE ARE 690 691 OR 692, THE PRODUCT IS MADE IN  CHINA. 471 IS MADE IN TAIWAN . THIS IS OUR RIGHT TO KNOW, BUT THE GOVERNMENT AND RELATED DEPARTMENTS NEVER EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, THEREFORE WE HAVE TO RESCUE OURSELVES. NOWADAYS, CHINESE BUSINESSMEN KNOW THAT CONSUMERS DO NOT PREFER PRODUCTS "MADE IN CHINA ", SO THEY DON'T SHOW FROM WHICH COUNTRY IT IS MADE.  HOWEVER, YOU MAY NOW REFER TO THE BARCODE - REMEMBER IF THE FIRST 3 DIGITS ARE:

690-692 ... THEN IT IS MADE IN  CHINA
00 - 09 ...  USA   &  CANADA
30 - 37   FRANCE
40 - 44  GERMANY
471 ...  TAIWAN
49 ... JAPAN
50 ...  UK
BUY USA & CANADIAN MADE BY WATCHING FOR "0" AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NUMBER. WE NEED EVERY BOOST WE CAN GET!  PASS THIS ON TO EVERYBODY ON YOUR E-MAIL CONTACT LIST!! IF THE GOVERNMENT WON'T HELP US, WE MUST HELP OURSELVES.


 

[2K-Valk]

I would also like to know Mexico.  Can probably figure it out at Walmart pretty easy.

[Thespian]

Best not to shop Wall Mart  ???.

[alph]

wouldn't it be cool if wally world would have the cash regester "chime" when they scan products made in america?  oh, yeah, they do, that's why i've never heard it!! 

[Serk]

Unfortunately, it's not quite that cut and dried...

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/barcodes.asp

The code tells where the company is headquartered, but not necessarily where the products are made.

It's (sadly) quite common for a company based in the US to manufacture it's products in China. Or theoretically possible for a company based in China to manufacture it's products in the US, so using the first numbers of the barcode doesn't really tell you where an item was manufactured.

[FloridaValkRyder]

As indicated in the Snopes article, it is pretty reliable though. I started looking at bar codes and calling various manufacturers to find out if their products were manufactured in China, as indicated by the bar code, or in America as indicated on their address on the label. Most reluctantly admitted that their products were made in China. Apparently they will indicate on the product "Made in the USA" if it actually is of course. Some said they have to by law if it is made in the USA. I don't know if that is true or not. Everyone I called, nearly 35 products, admitted that the bar code system is very reliable. Now the hard part, try and find something that says "Made in the USA".