Bar code 387 is not a reliable indicator that a product is domestic; be sure to also read the country of origin

The BH bar code 387 printed on products in stores is not a fully reliable guarantee that the product originated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, writes the news agency Patria.

Although most Bosnians and Herzegovinians, when shopping in stores, pay attention to whether the products they buy have the bar code 387, believing that this guarantees the product was produced in BiH, this may not always be the case.

Zlatko Mahić from the GS1 Association, which assigns bar codes for products in BiH, explains to the agency Patria that bar code 387 means that the product was placed on the BiH market by a company from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it does not necessarily mean that the product was produced in BiH.

- There are cases where, for example, a Macedonian company produces goods for a BH company, which then only distributes the goods on the BH market. Such products also have the 387 label – explains Mahić, adding that these products most often also state the country of origin, but in very small letters that are hard to read.

Admir Kapo from the Association „Let's Buy and Use Domestic Products“ explains to Patria that the Association has been trying for years to have as many domestic products as possible, in addition to the bar code 387, also have a star, i.e., the logo of the Association „Let's Buy and Use Domestic Products“, which guarantees that the product was made in BiH.

- Almost all packaging is imported (bought in bulk) and then packed into bags with a BH bar code – said Kapo. Customers are advised to also read the country of origin on products when shopping in stores, writes NAP.