By Alice McFarlane

Beef industry to use QR codes to share information with consumers

Feb 3, 2021 | 4:55 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Canada Beef is working to get QR codes on packages of beef in grocery stores.

QR codes are those black squares on a white grid that can be quickly scanned on smartphones.

Canada Beef President Michael Young was part of a panel discussion last week during the online Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference.

He said a wide variety of information, including videos and recipes, would be available for the consumer.

“You know those Tasty style ‘hands in pans’ one-minute videos on how to do this or that,” Young said. “Also, you want nutritional information by cut, we’ll offer that, branding information or information about sustainability. Any variety of things can be there.”

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Young said the QR codes will come out in different stages.

“We envision, first, to be on the package. Second, to be on the retail meat case. Third, to be offered in their print flyers or in their digital flyers when people are making a decision what to buy or what is on sale. There are so many applications for this,” he said.

Canada Beef will provide the information on the QR code, but it will be tailored to each specific retailer. All the information on choices will come from the beef industry but the consumer will believe it is coming from the retailer. Young said Canada Beef is prepared to put up the money to make it happen.

“We’re going to invest in getting this adapted because retailers tend to find reasons why things won’t work. We’ll cover the cost. It’s that important to us to get that information out at the point of purchase as soon as possible,” Young said.

The plan is to launch before the end of this quarter. Young said it has not been done before on this level where every beef cut is going to have its code.

He said the reason for the rising popularity is because of COVID-19.

“No one was using them before and now everybody is using QR codes,” Young said.

John Lawton with Titan Livestock also participated in the online Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference.

The owner of the cattle buying, and risk management company said he thought it was a great idea, especially targeting the younger generation.

“They live on their phones these days,” Lawton said. “People are getting very used to using these QR codes. I think we can send some positive messages on how to prepare and how to utilize product. If we play it right, I think this is a huge opportunity for the industry,” Lawton said.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF