When it comes to product safety, timing is everything. On June 2, Costco announced a voluntary recall of Topco Chico Mineral Water, a Coca-Cola product, after detecting a potential contamination of Lot Code #13A2541. Kudos to Coke for acting swiftly and limiting the recall to a specific batch—but this event highlights a bigger issue.

We’ve seen what happens when prevention and communication fall short. Remember the Tylenol crisis? While detection and recall are critical, the real challenge lies in ensuring that information travels quickly and effectively through the supply chain—and, most importantly, to the consumer.

The Problem: Barcodes Aren’t Enough

Today, expiration dates, lot codes, and batch numbers are printed on packages, but these details are only useful if someone takes the time to find and read them. The standard UPC barcode, the foundation of retail for over 50 years, doesn’t contain this information. Its function is limited to product identification, price lookup, and inventory control.

That means the last line of defense—the checkout counter—is blind to critical, time-sensitive data. If you picked up that recalled mineral water yesterday at 6 PM, you could have purchased and consumed it before the recall notice even went public at 7 PM.

The Future: Digital Link Barcodes

That’s about to change. In 2027, the UPC will evolve into Digital Link, a powerful QR Code variation that combines traditional product identification with real-time, data-rich capabilities.

Digital Link can encode:

• Recall Information – Specific batch or lot numbers flagged for immediate rejection at checkout.

• Safety Alerts – From toys with small choke-hazard parts to electrical appliances with defects.

• Nutritional Data & Recipes – Enhancing the customer experience with instant, value-added information.

• Recycling Information – Guiding consumers on how to responsibly dispose of packaging.

• User Guides & Instructions – Helping customers assemble, install, or operate products safely.

• Promotional Content – Delivering time-limited offers or event updates at the point of sale.

Most importantly, Digital Link will turn the checkout process into the true last line of defense. If a recalled batch is scanned, the transaction can be stopped before the product ever reaches the consumer’s hands.

Why It Matters

Barcodes have been in daily use for more than five decades. They’ve survived because they adapt, evolve, and continue to find new relevance. Now, they’re on the cusp of becoming even more powerful—capable of preventing harm, saving lives, and improving the shopping experience for everyone.

At Dolphin Data Capture, we believe barcodes must do more than track inventory. They must protect consumers, strengthen supply chains, and deliver actionable information in real time. The technology is ready, and so are we.

👉 Barcodes can save lives—but only if they work right. Let’s make sure they do. [Contact us here].