Are The Dots On Wrappers A Code For Something?

According to the FDA, there are requirements on noting servings per container and then what is in each serving. By law, there must be mandatory nutrients noted; calories, fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugars, fiber, protein, and plenty more. Ingredients must be listed in descending order of each ingredient included in the food being packaged. There must be an allergen declaration for food inside the packaging that may contain milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, or sesame.

That’s just the food rules. There are rules regulating the placement of the food information on the label. The wrapper or box must contain the manufacturer, packer, or distributor’s name and address. Any food content claims like ‘sugar-free’ or ‘low fat’ have a particular placement regulation. Some states require sell-by dates on particular foods. Those are just some of the requirements on a label.

The Peculiar Circles and Squares on Wrappers Aren't Only on Food, Why?

Credit Kat's Phone

If you’ve ever unfolded the underside of a candy wrapper you’ve seen the dots or squares. They are at the bottom of your chips bag. Why are they in different colors on different packages? Why do some come in circles and some in squares? Is there some type of secret code being sent through our labels to organizations telling them when the alien overlords are coming to claim the Earth’s inhabitants as their slaves?

Nope. It’s printers. They just use ‘color blocks’ or ‘process control patches’ to make sure the colors are consistent in packaging around the world. Making sure the same color of ink gets printed on different packages from different countries is more complicated than you think. At home, there’s usually black, cyan, yellow, and magenta. Out in the manufacturing world, there are orange, green, and violet amongst others. The dots help ensure the proper coloring of packaging.