Bulk Barcode Generator Generate Free →
🥫 Food & Grocery Labels

Free Food Barcode Generator

Whether you make artisan jam, import snacks, or pack organic produce, food products on retail shelves need a scannable barcode. This tool lets you bulk-generate food-grade barcode labels from CSV or Excel — EAN-13 (international supermarket standard) or UPC-A (North American retail standard) — and export retail-ready PDF labels. No signup, no row limit, and your data never leaves the browser.

Generate Food Barcodes Free →
EAN-13 & UPC-A No signup No row limit Retail-ready PDF

Why Use Our Food Barcode Generator?

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Retail-Ready Format

EAN-13 and UPC-A meet the scanning requirements of supermarkets and convenience stores worldwide — one label that works across multiple retail buyers simultaneously.

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Bulk from Your Product List

Upload your full product CSV and generate barcode labels for every SKU in a single run. No need to create each barcode one at a time.

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GS1-Compatible Output

The generated barcode values follow GS1 numeric structure, so they can be entered directly into Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, or your retailer's procurement system.

Generate Food Barcodes in 3 Steps

1

Prepare Your Barcode List

Create a CSV with one column of barcode values — 13-digit EAN-13 numbers or 12-digit UPC-A numbers. One row per product SKU.

2

Choose EAN-13 or UPC-A

Select EAN-13 for international markets, or UPC-A if you are selling exclusively in North America.

3

Download and Print Labels

Export a retail-ready PDF and print directly onto Avery label sheets or a thermal label printer. No reformatting needed.

EAN-13 vs UPC-A for Food Products

Choosing the right barcode format for your food products depends on where you sell. Here is a direct comparison:

EAN-13 UPC-A
Digits 13 12
Where used Global (Europe, Asia, Australia, US, Canada) US & Canada only
Retail acceptance Universal North America only
Country prefix First 2–3 digits = country code Starts with 0 (US)
GS1 registration Required for retail Required for retail
Best for Food brands selling internationally or via Amazon US-only grocery / convenience store
Most food brands choose EAN-13 because the majority of US scanning systems now accept it — EAN-13 is a superset of UPC-A. Only consider UPC-A if you are certain you will sell exclusively in North America.

What's on a Food Barcode Label?

A retail food barcode label must meet several requirements before store buyers and POS systems will accept it. Here is what matters:

  • Barcode symbol Required EAN-13 or UPC-A, with a quiet zone (clear margin) of at least 3mm on both sides of the bars.
  • Human readable digits Required The numeric code printed below the bars (HRI — Human Readable Interpretation) so cashiers can manually key it in if scanning fails.
  • Minimum size 80% magnification of the reference symbol (approx. 29.83mm wide). Supermarket scanning recommends 100% (37.29mm wide) for best scan rates.
  • Contrast Dark bars on a light background — black on white is optimal. Avoid red backgrounds, which confuse laser scanners.
  • Label placement Lower-right or bottom of the package back panel, away from folds and seams where bars may distort.

These requirements are not enforced by this tool, but retailers will check them at vendor onboarding or product verification.

Three Types of Food Sellers We Help

Artisan & Small-Batch

Artisan & Small-Batch Producers

Homemade jam, honey, baked goods, sauces. Typically selling to local supermarkets, farmers' markets, or a direct online store. Use EAN-13 if entering local retail, or Code 128 for internal tracking only.

Import & Distribution

Food Importers & Distributors

Importing packaged goods from overseas and distributing to retail. Original EAN-13 may already exist — generate supplementary labels with English descriptions and local contact info, or re-label with a domestic GS1 prefix.

Private Label

Private Label & Co-Packing

Brand owner provides EAN-13 numbers; co-packer prints and applies labels to finished goods. Generate your entire SKU list in one batch, then send the PDF to your factory to print and apply directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode format do food products use?
Most food products use EAN-13 (13-digit, global standard) or UPC-A (12-digit, North America). EAN-13 is recommended for most food sellers because it is accepted worldwide — including by US retailers and Amazon — while UPC-A is accepted only in North America. Both require a GS1-registered company prefix and product number if you are selling to retail stores; for internal tracking or DTC only, Code 128 with your own SKU system is sufficient.
Do I need to register with GS1 to sell food products in stores?
Yes, if you are selling to retail stores (supermarkets, convenience stores, online marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart). GS1 is the organization that issues official EAN-13 and UPC-A prefixes. In the US, GS1 US registration starts at around $250/year for a company prefix. Without a GS1-registered number, major retailers may reject your products. For farmers' markets, restaurant supply, or direct-to-consumer sales, GS1 registration is typically not required.
Can I put multiple food products on one barcode label sheet?
Yes. Bulk Barcode Generator generates one label per row in your CSV. Upload a list with one EAN-13 or UPC-A number per row, and the tool generates a PDF with one barcode label per product. You can then print onto Avery 5160 (30 labels per sheet) or Avery 5163 (10 labels per sheet, larger) using a standard laser or inkjet printer.
What label size should I use for food packaging?
For small food packages (bottles, jars, pouches): Avery 5160 labels (2⅝" × 1") fit most. For larger packaging or if you need the label to include extra text (ingredients, nutrition summary, contact info): Avery 5163 (4" × 2") gives more space. For high-volume production runs printed at a label print shop: export PNG at 300 DPI and specify 37.29mm × 26mm (EAN-13 at 100% magnification) to the printer.
Can I generate food barcodes for both Amazon and supermarket sales?
Yes. EAN-13 works for both — Amazon requires either UPC or EAN for most food listings, and supermarkets scan EAN-13 at checkout. Generate your EAN-13 list once, download the PDF for physical label printing, and enter the same 13-digit numbers into your Amazon Seller Central listing under the "External Product ID" field.