Laser Branding Replaces Produce Stickers

Marking produce in grocery has long been an  issue.   Saw a similar approach suggested years ago.  Appearance like a cattle brand.   Looks like it works well on produce with big a flat surface area, like potatoes, but how about Broccoli?  Improvements in image recognition may still be best.

Swedish supermarket replaces produce stickers with laser branding
by Katherine Martinko (@feistyredhair)

The 'natural branding' process marks the outermost layer of peel without using ink or affecting taste and shelf life.

Plastic produce stickers might be a thing of the past if Swedish supermarket ICA has its way. The chain, with more than 1,300 stores across Sweden, began experimenting last December with ‘natural branding,’ a process that imprints a fruit or vegetable peel with its name, country of origin, and code number using a laser. The low-energy, carbon dioxide laser burns away the first layer of pigment to a clearly legible result that uses no ink or additional products. It is a superficial, contact-free method that does not affect taste or shelf life. .... "