Hack of the day: Verify barcodes and FSSAI claims before buying

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Counterfeit food products and misleading “organic” or “health” claims are becoming increasingly common in retail. Many of these items use expired FSSAI licences or fake certifications to appear legitimate. By verifying barcodes and FSSAI claims before purchase, consumers can protect themselves from unsafe or fraudulent products.

The Solution: Smart consumer app

The Smart Consumer app, developed by GS1 India, connects directly to the official DataKart registration database. This allows shoppers to instantly check whether a product’s barcode and FSSAI licence are genuine.

How to do it

1. li1Download the Smart Consumer app from your app store.
2. li1Open the Barcode Scanner within the app.
3. li1Scan the product’s barcode by pointing your phone camera at it.
4. li1The app will display:
ul1
• li1Company Name
• li1FSSAI Licence details
• li1Manufacturer Address
• li1Product Images
5. li1If the app shows “Barcode not found” or if the company name doesn’t match the packaging, treat it as a high-risk counterfeit.

A word of caution

Some very small-scale local products may not appear in the GS1/DataKart database if they don’t hold an FSSAI licence. In such cases, exercise extra caution before purchase.