Is it ok to eat barcode stickers?
Quick Answer
No
While accidentally consuming a small piece of barcode sticker is unlikely to cause harm, it is not recommended to intentionally eat them. They are not food-grade materials and can contain inks and adhesives that are not meant for ingestion.
What Is It?
Barcode stickers are labels with a machine-readable representation of data that can be attached to products. They are typically made of paper, plastic, or other non-edible materials, and can contain inks and adhesives.
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating barcode stickers can potentially pose several risks:
- Ingesting non-food grade materials: Barcode stickers are not made for consumption and can contain substances that are not safe to ingest.
- Choking hazard: Especially for small children, stickers can pose a choking risk.
- Digestive issues: While unlikely, consuming non-digestible materials like stickers could potentially cause blockages or other digestive issues.