Days of the barcode numbered as retailers look to powerful new QR codes, say experts

Their black and white stripes have become ubiquitous over the past 50 years. But the barcode's days could be numbered after the global organisation overseeing their use said a more powerful alternative is set to be readable by all retailers within two years.

- Robert Booth

New codes which contain sell-by dates, product instructions, allergens and ingredients, as well as prices, mean "we will say goodbye to the old-fashioned barcode", according to GS1, an international non-profit.

Tesco has started using them on some products and other trials have suggested that waste of perishable food such as poultry can be cut by embedding sell-by dates in the new QR-style codes.

QR (quick response) codes will allow customers to instantly access more information about the product, including how to recycle batteries, clothes and building materials when tougher environmental regulations come into force.

But they will also put a greater demand on the world's cloud computing resources where the extra data they contain is stored - meaning a potentially greater carbon footprint.