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Smart Lot Labeler
Generate and decode lot codes with QR codes and barcodes for traceability.
How to Use This Tool
Generate Lot Codes
- Enter a SKU - Your product identifier
- Select a production date
- Enter batch sequence (1-999)
- Optionally add expiration date
- Generate and print labels with QR/barcodes
Decode Lot Codes
- Enter an existing lot code
- View decoded information including SKU, date, batch, and expiration
Why You Need an FSMA 204 Lot Code Generator
If you manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the FDA's Food Traceability List (FTL), the days of handwritten stickers and generic date codes are over. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204 mandates rigorous tracking of Key Data Elements (KDEs) across every Critical Tracking Event (CTE).
At the heart of this compliance is the Traceability Lot Code (TLC). Using a reliable FSMA 204 lot code generator ensures that your products are uniquely identified and can be traced backward and forward through the supply chain within the FDA's required 24-hour turnaround time for mock recalls.
The Anatomy of a Compliant Traceability Lot Code
A compliant lot code isn't just a random string of numbers. It needs to convey specific information to downstream partners. While the FDA doesn't mandate a specific format, a robust lot code typically includes:
- Production Date: When the item was transformed or created.
- SKU / Item Identifier: What the product actually is.
- Batch Sequence: Which specific run of the day it belongs to.
Our free lot code generator establishes a clean, standardized format: YYMMDD-SKU-SEQ. This is human-readable on the warehouse floor and easily scannable by warehouse management systems (WMS).
Barcodes vs. QR Codes for Food Packaging
When printing labels, you have to decide how to encode your Traceability Lot Code.
- 1D Barcodes (Code 128): The industry standard. They are easily read by simple laser scanners found in almost every grocery receiving dock. However, they can get very wide if your lot code is too long.
- 2D QR Codes: Excellent for packing a lot of data into a small space (like tiny sauce bottles). They can also be scanned by smartphones, making them great for consumer transparency.
Our tool allows you to easily switch between both formats depending on your packaging size constraints and downstream customer requirements.
Beyond the Free Tool: Automating FSMA 204 Compliance
Generating a lot code and printing a label is only step one of FSMA 204 compliance. When you create that lot code (a Transformation CTE), you must legally record exactly which incoming raw ingredient lot codes were used to make it.
A free online FSMA 204 lot code generator cannot link your finished goods lot to your supplier's incoming lots. For that, you need a purpose-built traceability system. SauceControl automates this entire process. When you run a production batch in SauceControl, it automatically generates the new Traceability Lot Code, prints the label, and permanently links it to the exact ingredients you consumed—keeping you 100% audit-ready without the spreadsheet headache.