Do These Marks Indicate Anything About the Food?
No, the colored circles do not indicate anything about the food itself, such as its freshness, quality, or nutritional value. They are purely for technical printing purposes. However, because they are often found on food packaging, many people assume they have a hidden meaning related to the product inside.
Other Common Printing Marks on Food Packaging
Aside from color control patches, you may have also noticed:
- Barcodes: Used for inventory and checkout scanning.
- Date Codes: Indicate the expiration or best-before date.
- Lot Numbers: Help trace batches of products in case of recalls.
- Recycling Symbols: Show whether packaging is recyclable.
The Myth of the “Secret Code”
Some online theories claim that the color patches signal whether food contains artificial ingredients or if it’s organic. Others suggest they indicate how long a product has been sitting on store shelves. While these ideas are interesting, they are completely false. These marks exist solely for printing purposes and have no relation to the food itself.
Next Time You See These Marks…
Now that you know the truth, you won’t have to wonder about those mysterious colored circles on food packaging. They’re simply tools for printers to ensure high-quality packaging design. While they don’t tell you anything about the food inside, they do play a crucial role in making sure labels are clear, vibrant, and easy to read.
So, the next time you’re grocery shopping and spot those little colored dots, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of what they really mean!
