Imagine standing in the supermarket, picking up a box of cereal, scanning the barcode… and seeing actual lab results instead of vague marketing claims.
Not just ingredients or allergens. Not just clean-sounding slogans. But real, batch-specific residue data — for glyphosate, pesticides, heavy metals, or whatever else might be in the food.
That future already exists in other countries. It’s called CleanScan, and it’s quietly redefining how food transparency works. A QR code on the label takes you to a live webpage showing the test results for that specific product and batch — no guesswork, no greenwashing, no spinning the numbers.
So here’s the obvious question:
If companies overseas can do it, why can’t New Zealand?
What CleanScan Labels Are — And Why They’re Changing Food Transparency
CleanScan labels were pioneered by Banza, a chickpea pasta brand based in the US. But this isn’t just a marketing gimmick. Banza tests every product batch for glyphosate and more than 400 pesticides. It then publishes the results online, linking them to a scannable QR code on the box. The data includes farming methods and chemical avoidance strategies — all presented in plain English.
No generic “We follow industry best practices.”
No “Trust us, we comply with food safety regulations.”
Just real numbers — and a clear invitation to verify for yourself.
It’s a bold move. Because real transparency can’t be faked. You either have clean results, or you don’t. And that’s exactly why it’s powerful. Consumers don’t have to rely on slogans. They can see the facts.
This is the kind of leadership that earns trust. Not because a brand says it’s clean — but because it’s willing to prove it.
So again, why not here? Why not New Zealand?
Why New Zealand Needs Lab‑Verified Food Labels Now
New Zealand’s “clean green” image has been our marketing backbone for decades. Rolling hills. Misty orchards. Pure ingredients. But when it comes to chemical residues, the image doesn’t always match reality.
Our independent testing has found glyphosate residues in honey, Weet-Bix, cereal, supermarket bread — products people assume are safe. It’s not just isolated findings. It’s a pattern.
And while a 2025 proposal to raise the allowable glyphosate limit for key cereals has since been scrapped, the public debate revealed something deeper: a growing distrust of vague reassurances. (MPI media release)
People are asking tougher questions. They want to know:
- What’s really in our food?
- Who’s testing for it?
- And why can’t we see the results?
That’s why CleanScan-style transparency isn’t a gimmick. It’s a public service — and a long-overdue opportunity for New Zealand producers to back up their clean claims with clean data.
The Benefits for New Zealand Food Producers Who Choose Real Transparency
This isn’t just about consumer rights. It’s also a chance for producers and brands to step ahead of the curve — and strengthen their own supply chains in the process.
Earned Trust (Not Marketing Spin)
Consumers don’t need a fancy story when the evidence is right there. A company willing to publish its lab results is saying: “We’re confident in what we’re selling.” That kind of honesty builds loyalty. No glossy campaign can match it.
Export Readiness
Markets are shifting. Some buyers already reject products — especially honey and grains — with any detectable glyphosate. Countries are tightening residue limits. CleanScan-style verification could help exporters avoid future barriers and meet rising expectations.
Better Farming Practices
Right now, some companies don’t even know what residues are on their ingredients. But when you start publishing batch-level lab results, you force the whole supply chain to lift its game — from how crops are grown to how they’re stored and processed.
Low Cost, High Impact
QR codes cost cents. Accredited testing is widely available. The only real barrier is willingness — and perhaps a fear of what might turn up. But isn’t it better to find out now… before your customers do?
The Real Reasons Companies Avoid Residue Testing
Let’s be honest: there are some common objections.
“Testing is expensive.”
Not really. And certainly not compared to the cost of a recall — or the reputational damage from being publicly caught out.
“What if the results show residues?”
Then it’s a chance to improve. Change your practices. Source better ingredients. Set a higher standard.
“Will customers even scan the QR code?”
Yes — and especially the ones who care most about food safety. Those are the customers you want to keep.
“There’s no regulation requiring this.”
True. But leadership isn’t about meeting the minimum. It’s about doing the right thing before someone makes you.
MPI’s Digital Labelling Trial: A Missed Opportunity for Transparency
On 20 November 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries announced a trial allowing producers to shift some mandatory label information online — accessible via QR codes or barcodes. While the pilot focused on nutrition panels and compliance details, it quietly opened the door to something bigger.
If we’re already putting ingredient and allergen info online…
Why not use the same platform to publish lab test results?
The infrastructure is there. The scanning behaviour is already happening. All that’s missing is the choice to use this technology for something that genuinely improves consumer protection.
If we can scan for sugar content, we can scan for glyphosate.
What CleanScan‑Style Transparency Could Look Like in New Zealand
We’re challenging New Zealand producers to take the lead. Here’s what CleanScan-style transparency could involve:
- Test every batch of high-risk food products — cereals, grains, bread, oats, honey
- Use a reputable, accredited lab
- Include detection limits — and test for AMPA where possible
- Publish results online, clearly dated and archived
- Link those results directly from the product label using a QR code
- Explain what the numbers mean — and how they compare to EU or organic standards
This is what true “clean label” credibility looks like. And it’s the kind of transparency that earns long-term trust — both here and overseas.
A Practical Roadmap for Brands Ready to Lead on Food Safety
Step 1: Start with one flagship product
Choose the SKU you’re best known for. Make it the test case.
Step 2: Partner with a trusted lab
Ask for glyphosate and AMPA testing. Publish the full reports.
Step 3: Build a transparency landing page
Include plain-language summaries, downloadable PDFs, and past batch data.
Step 4: Keep an open audit trail
Make previous batch results viewable. Don’t delete the past. That’s what real integrity looks like.
Step 5: Tell your story
Let customers know why you’re doing this. Talk about clean food, trust, and accountability. It matters.
What New Zealand Consumers Gain From QR‑Code Lab Results
Transparency isn’t just about holding companies accountable. It gives people back their power as informed consumers. It means:
- Knowing what’s in your food — not guessing
- Comparing brands based on evidence, not branding
- Feeling confident about what your kids are eating
- Pushing food safety forward through market demand
CleanScan-style labelling isn’t the end of regulation. But it’s the beginning of a different kind of trust — one built on data, not just declarations.
The Choice Ahead for NZ: Transparency or Trust Erosion
We’re standing at a crossroad.
MPI has dabbled in QR-based digital labels. Overseas companies are already embracing lab-based transparency. And New Zealand consumers are growing tired of empty claims and chemical surprises.
So the question now is simple:
Will our food producers wait until they’re forced to act?
Or will someone step forward and lead?
We’re ready to celebrate any brand brave enough to make that leap. We’ll share their story. We’ll highlight their products. And we’ll encourage our supporters to buy from companies that value honesty over appearance.
Because the truth is all we’re asking for.
If your product is clean, show us.
If it’s not, take steps to fix it.
Either way —
let us scan for the truth.
Part of Labels Without Truth: A Three-Part Investigation
This article is part of Labels Without Truth: A Three-Part Investigation, our three-piece deep dive into New Zealand’s food labelling system, the rise of QR-code “transparency,” and the growing public demand for real, verifiable information.
Part 1: Scan for the Truth: (You are here.)
How CleanScan-style lab reporting overseas is redefining trust — and why New Zealand brands could (and should) lead the way.
Part 2: Digital Labels Are Coming to NZ — But Will They Reveal Anything That Matters?
MPI’s digital labelling trial promises convenience, but does it actually deliver transparency — or just move blind spots online?
Part 3: NZ Product Labelling Review: The Problems the Digital QR Trial Ignores
What the Government’s own Review reveals about regulatory gaps, weak enforcement, and the transparency issues the digital trial doesn’t even touch.
Resources & References
We’re not the only ones calling for change. Around the world — and now here in New Zealand — companies, policymakers, and watchdogs are rethinking what “transparency” in food really means. The resources below explore what’s already happening, what’s being trialled, and what’s possible when brands stop hiding behind slogans and start showing us the science.
Whether you’re a consumer, producer, or policymaker, these links are worth exploring.
Digital trial to boost supermarket competition
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
A media release announcing that the New Zealand Government is consulting on a trial of digital food‑labelling (on‑shelf QR codes, online info) for certain packaged foods, signalling a shift toward digital transparency mechanisms.
Banza’s CleanScan labels provide access to glyphosate & pesticide tests
TrendHunter / CleanTheSky
This article describes how Banza (US chickpea‑pasta brand) uses the CleanScan QR‐code label system to publish batch‑specific lab results (glyphosate + 400+ pesticides) — a practical example of the transparency model your article advocates.
CleanScan certification
The Detox Project
Explains the underlying standard and certification mechanism of CleanScan: ISO‑17025 accredited labs, QR verification, contaminant‑free requirements, and the logic behind final‑product residue testing (including glyphosate).
Glyphosate‑Free Clean Label Shift
NoMoreGlyphosate.nz
Your own previously published article, covering how “clean label” claims in NZ food are evolving — and why glyphosate residue builds a meaningful dimension to those claims. A solid internal link that reinforces your article’s positioning.
GS1 New Zealand calls for digital labelling to be considered in review on product labelling
GS1 New Zealand
Industry voice urging NZ regulators to adopt digital labelling standards (QR, 2D barcodes) so Kiwi businesses and consumers can benefit from transparency and innovation. Highlights the regulatory / industry impetus behind your article’s “why now” argument.
The Clean Label Movement: How Brands Are Winning with Simplicity and Transparency
Agribusiness Academy
A broader context piece describing how “clean label” as a concept has evolved globally — why consumers now expect transparency, simpler ingredients and traceability. Won’t be NZ‑specific on glyphosate, but backs your broader theme.
If food companies want our trust, this is the new baseline: verifiable data, not feel-good labels.
The tools exist. The models exist. And the public is ready.
The question is — who will lead?
Image Source & Attribution
The feature image on this page was generated using AI (ChatGPT/DALL·E) and adapted for the web using Canva.
