New innovative edible QR code to spot counterfeit whisky

A new kind of “edible QR code” could become a new kind of security measure to tackle counterfeit whisky.

The study, published in the journal ACS Central Science, states that 18 percent of adults in the UK have experienced purchasing counterfeit alcoholic spirits. 

Under the new innovative method, people would be able to scan the QR code with their phone to confirm their drink’s authenticity.

If they happened to accidentally consume it during a sip of prized single malt, it would neither hurt them nor affect the taste of the drink, stated recent reports.

The QR codes are placed on small consumable silk tags that have been developed by a team of biomedical engineers from Purdue University and South Korea under the leadership of associate professor Young Kim and postdoctoral research associate Jungwoo Leem. 

Their idea is that manufacturers could place the tags inside their whisky bottles that customers could then scan with their phone.

Kim and Leem placed tags in various brands and price points of whisky (80 proof, 40 percent alcohol per volume) over a 10-month period and were able to continually activate the tags and codes with a smartphone app.

The team developed ways and methods for the tags to be activated by smartphones in a variety of light settings.

Kim said the tags are an additional authentication mechanism for marked safety seals on bottles or pills and could help by being placed in high-dollar bottles of alcohol or on expensive medications individually.

“Counterfeit items, such as medicines and alcohol, are big issues around the world. There are numerous examples of large amounts of fake medications sold throughout the world, which, in some instances, kill people,” Metro quoted Kim as saying.