PTI Compliance Beginner Guide
PTI Labeling for Produce: A Plain-Language Guide
If a retailer has ever asked you about PTI compliance - or if you're preparing to ship to a major grocery chain - this guide is for you.
PTI labeling doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down exactly what it is, what's required on your labels, and how to get compliant without wasting time or money.
🌱 What Is PTI?
PTI stands for Produce Traceability Initiative. It's an industry-wide program that standardizes how fresh produce cases are labeled so that any box of produce can be traced from the farm where it was packed all the way to the retail store shelf.
The goal is simple: if there's ever a food safety issue or recall, PTI makes it possible to identify exactly which cases are affected - and where they are in the supply chain - within hours instead of days.
📝 What Has to Be on a PTI Label?
A PTI-compliant case label has two parts: human-readable text and a GS1-128 barcode.
📄 Human-Readable Text
• Commodity name and variety/pack style
• Brand/grower name
• Country of origin
• Lot number
• Pack date
• Voice pick code (4-digit)
📷 GS1-128 Barcode Encoding
• GTIN - Application Identifier 01
• Lot number - Application Identifier 10
• Pack date - Application Identifier 13 or 11
That's it. If your label has those fields in the right format, it's PTI compliant.
💡 What a PTI Label Actually Looks Like
24 COUNT / 9 oz
SUNRIDGE FARMS
USA
GTIN: 10012345678901
LOT: SR-2025-04-01-A
PACK DATE: 04/01/25
VOICE PICK: 4823
Label size is typically 4" x 2" for case labels. Pallet labels use a 4" x 6" format.
💳 What's a GTIN and How Do You Get One?
A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is a 14-digit number that uniquely identifies your product. Think of it as a product's fingerprint - it tells the receiver exactly what the item is, who packed it, and what commodity it represents.
Purchase a GS1 Company Prefix from GS1 US
This is a one-time fee plus an annual renewal. The prefix is unique to your company and is the foundation for all your GTINs.
Assign GTINs to each commodity and pack style
Each unique combination - say, 12-count romaine vs. 24-count romaine - gets its own GTIN. GTINs are assigned at the product level, not per shipment.
Register your GTINs in the GS1 database
This allows your trading partners to look them up and verify them. Major retailers check GTINs against the GS1 registry on every shipment.
🎧 What's a Voice Pick Code?
The voice pick code is a 4-digit number printed on every PTI label. It's calculated from your GTIN, lot number, and pack date using a standard formula (CRC16 hash).
It exists because large distribution centers use voice-directed picking systems - workers wear headsets and are guided by spoken instructions. When picking cases from a mixed pallet, a worker can verbally confirm the correct case by reading out the voice pick code, without needing to scan the barcode.
🚜 PTI at the Pallet Level
In addition to case labels, most retailers also want pallet-level PTI labels (sometimes called hybrid pallet labels). These summarize the contents of an entire pallet and include:
• A list of all GTINs and lot numbers on the pallet
• Total case count
• SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) - a unique ID for the pallet itself
Pallet labels are especially important for retailers receiving mixed pallets with multiple commodities or lot numbers.
🚩 Common Mistakes That Cause Compliance Failures
Wrong Barcode Type
PTI requires a GS1-128 barcode specifically. A standard Code 128 or Code 39 barcode is not the same thing and won't pass a PTI scan at receiving.
Missing Application Identifiers
The GTIN, lot, and date in the barcode must be preceded by the correct GS1 Application Identifiers (AI 01, AI 10, AI 13). If they're missing, the scan returns garbage data.
Lot Numbers That Don't Match Your Records
The lot number on the label must match what's in your shipping records and what you'd produce in a recall audit. Inconsistency is a compliance failure even if the label looks right.
Voice Pick Code Errors
If the voice pick code is calculated wrong or missing, voice-picking systems at distribution centers won't be able to confirm the case - and you may get charged back.
Poor Barcode Print Quality
A blurry or smudged barcode that doesn't scan cleanly is just as bad as no barcode. Use a quality thermal printer and test every label format before your first big shipment.
📋 Getting Started: The Short Checklist
If you're getting PTI compliant for the first time, here's the order of operations:
1. Get your GS1 Company Prefix at gs1us.org
2. Assign GTINs to each commodity and pack style you ship
3. Set up a thermal label printer (Zebra is the industry standard)
4. Choose your labeling method - software or manual templates
5. Test your labels - print a few and have a trading partner scan them before your first real shipment
6. Register with your retailer's supplier portal (Costco, Walmart, etc. each have their own onboarding process)
🌱 How AgTag USA Handles This for You
AgTag USA is PTI labeling software built specifically for produce packers and growers. When you log an order, AgTag prints a fully compliant PTI case label - with the correct GTIN, lot number, pack date, and voice pick code - automatically.
You don't need to know the spec. You just need to print. ⭐
You don't need to know the GS1 Application Identifier spec. You don't need to calculate voice pick codes. AgTag also prints pallet labels, tracks every label printed against your orders, and integrates with major retailer portals including Costco and Procurant.
You just enter your order details and print.
Try AgTag USA Free for 7 Days
No credit card required. Start printing compliant PTI labels today.
Start Your Free Trial →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is PTI mandatory?
PTI is not currently required by federal law, but it is required by most major retailers and strongly aligned with FSMA 204 traceability requirements. If you sell to large grocery chains or distributors, you need it.
Do small farms need to comply?
If you sell to a wholesaler, distributor, or retailer that requires PTI, then yes. If you sell only at farmers markets or directly to restaurants, PTI likely doesn't apply to you.
How long does it take to get set up?
Getting your GS1 prefix and assigning GTINs typically takes a few days. Setting up labeling software can be done in an afternoon. Most growers are printing compliant labels within a week of deciding to get started.
What if I repack produce from multiple growers?
Repackers have specific PTI responsibilities. The repacker becomes the "brand owner" for the repacked product and must assign their own GTINs to the new configuration.
What's the difference between a case label and a pallet label?
A case label goes on every individual box or carton. A pallet label summarizes the entire pallet and includes a unique SSCC pallet identifier. Most retailers require both.