We have told you how to read the bar codes to spot organic food, and we’re all wary of food from China. But you don’t just want to avoid eating Chinese food IN China–you also may be eating it here, since the Chinese export lots of food to the US and all over the world. Given the horror stories about adulterated food coming out of that country, it would probably be wise to check this if you are buying anything packaged, including frozen foods.
It turns out that the country of origin is in the first three digits of the bar code. If the first 3 digits of the barcode are 690, 691 or 692, the product is made in China. 471 is made in Taiwan and is probably safe, since this country has an uneasy relationship with China and does not do much trade with that country. 00-09 are from the US and Canada, 30-37 are from France, and 50 is from the UK. 49 is from Japan (which would have once been safe but now may be a problem)
00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein
471 is Made in Taiwan (see sample below)
628 ~ Saudi-Arabien
629 ~ United Arab Emirates
740 ~ 745 – Central America
All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines.
Please inform your family and friends for them to be aware!