Wondering how to read ‘Barcodes’? Here's how

Universal Product Code, otherwise known as “Bar Codes” are code consisting of a series of vertical bars of variable width that are scanned by a laser; printed on consumer product packages to identify the item for a computer that provides the price and registers inventory information.

The public is aware of barcodes and is aware of its existence on almost every product yet people seem to not know what do these series of bars with corresponding digits stand for.

This mystery which most of us has long been curious of is now answered and revealed by a concerned citizen, John O. Neri, through one of his Facebook posts. Neri explained elaborately what do the bars and numbers affixed on almost all universally identified products stand for.

Here's how to read barcodes: 

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 label at the supermarket and especially when buying food products. Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located. The whole world is concerned about China-made "black-hearted goods".

Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China ? The world is also concerned about GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods; steroid fed animals (ex: 45 days old broiler chicken).

It is important to read the bar code to track its origin. How to read Bar Codes.... interesting!

If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA… 471 is Made in Taiwan…

If the first 3 digits of the bar code are 00-09 then it's made or sourced in USA.

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:

890 --------------- Made in INDIA
690, 691, 692 --- then it is Made in CHINA
00 to 09 ---------- USA and CANADA
30 to 37 ----------- FRANCE
40 to 44 ----------- GERMANY
471 ---------------- TAIWAN
45 or 49 ----------  JAPAN
489 ---------------- HONG KONG
50 ------------------ UK
57 ----------------- DENMARK
64 ----------------- FINLAND
76 ----------------- SWITZERLAND and LIENCHTENSTIEN
628 --------------- SAUDI ARABIA
629 --------------- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
740 to 745 ------- CENTRAL AMERICA
All 480 Codes are Made in the PHILIPPINES.

Source: John O. Neri