Labels that pass at the dock
Everything a grower or packer needs to know about produce case labeling — requirements, barcodes, Voice Pick Codes, and FSMA 204.
Open the free label generator →A PTI label is the case label required by the Produce Traceability Initiative, the industry-wide standard adopted by major US retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Whole Foods. Every case of fresh produce shipped to these buyers must carry a label with a GS1-128 barcode encoding the GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) and lot number, plus human-readable product information. Cases without compliant labels are routinely rejected at retailer distribution centers — the cost falls on the grower or packer.
This free tool generates fully compliant PTI case labels in your browser: the GS1-128 barcode with Application Identifiers (01) GTIN, (13) pack date, and (10) lot; the Voice Pick Code (a 4-digit CRC-16 hash used by warehouse voice-picking systems); an optional item-level UPC-A barcode and PLU number; and the pack date in Julian or calendar format. Import your product catalog as a CSV, set your label dimensions (4×2, 4×3, 4×6, or custom), and print at exact size on any thermal or office printer.
The FDA Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) requires covered operations to assign a Traceability Lot Code and keep traceability records, with a compliance date of July 20, 2028. Under the industry's harmonized approach, the Traceability Lot Code is the GTIN plus the lot number — exactly the data encoded in a PTI case label's GS1-128 barcode. Printing compliant PTI labels means every case you ship already carries its federal traceability identifier. Retailers, meanwhile, enforce PTI case labeling today regardless of the FDA timeline.
Official resource: the Produce Traceability Initiative publishes its implementation guidance, best practices, and industry FAQs at producetraceability.org — the primary source for current PTI requirements.
Enter your packer information, add products (or import a CSV with columns gtin, description, pack_style, upc, plu), enter the lot number and pack date, choose your label size, and print. In the print dialog set margins to None and scale to 100% so the label prints true to size. Always verify a printed barcode with a scanner before shipping product.
Is this really free? Yes — the generator is free to use with no account. Paid plans (saved catalogs, retailer template library, ZPL output, print API) are coming for operations that need more.
Where do I get a GTIN? GTINs are licensed through GS1 (gs1us.org in the US, or your national GS1 member organization). This tool validates your check digits but cannot issue GTINs.
What is the Voice Pick Code? A 4-digit code derived from a CRC-16 hash of the GTIN, lot, and pack date, printed large on the label so warehouse voice-picking systems can confirm the right case. Try our free Voice Pick Code calculator.
Does this help with FSMA 204? Yes — the GS1-128 barcode on a PTI label encodes the GTIN + lot number, which is the Traceability Lot Code under the FDA Food Traceability Rule (compliance date July 20, 2028). Full record-keeping features (sortable spreadsheet exports of your print history) are on the PackPass roadmap. See producetraceability.org for the official industry guidance.
Does it work with thermal printers? Yes — it prints through your browser at exact label dimensions via the printer's driver. Direct ZPL output for Zebra printers is on the roadmap.