Barcodes, a key element in security printing, are nearly ubiquitous, serving not just for point of sale and inventory management, but increasingly for customer/product interaction. As described in previous blogs, this is due in part to the tremendous recent growth in mobile camera availability.

Barcodes, therefore, can be used for interrogating products. This need not be a security application. Take a picture of the barcode, and then connect to a website (for product information) or a printer (for a coupon or a lottery-like interaction). Or, more idiosyncratically, use the barcode to ensure a kosher passover.

"Barcodes the latest weapon in the fight to keep Passover kosher"

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1075928.html

First, a digression...in this part of the world, it may be that even making sure your food is appropriate for the occasion requires a "weapon" and a "fight". Try this game to see how a sentence you write might come across: substitute each noun with a synonym. Applying this to the article, the title can become "Barcodes the latest atomic bomb in the altercation to keep Passover kosher".

Back to our story. An anonymous donor offered to foot the bill for printing barcodes that indicate a product is kosher (i.e. is not "chametz", or containing leavened foods). There does not seem to be any authentication mechanism for the barcode; rather, the mere printing of it signifies a kosher product. A step in the right direction for food protection, but more is needed. Apparently, however, the program--this year at any rate--has passed over the opportunity to offer true product security.

Cheers,

Steve

(Thanks to Marie Vans for the link)