Determining that a product is that of a Mexican company by using a bar code is possible when the product is issued with an EAN-13 symbol. While the UPC symbols on products distributed in America may look quite similar, the European EAN-13 system uses a numbering system which code is different than that of the UPC system. The two-digit or three-digit EAN numbering code denotes the country that assigned the manufacturer code. Manufacturing companies in Mexico, therefore, will each be assigned a code by the same issuing body, whose identification number is also on the EAN barcode. However, just because a product was issued by a Mexican company does not necessarily mean it was produced or grown there.
Flip the packaging or box over to find the bar code. This might be on a sticker, underneath or on the backside of an item.
Determine whether the product has an EAN-13 bar code. The human numbering on the bar code will begin with a 0 placed outside of the bars, to the left. There is no number outside the bars on the right side, as with a UPC-A symbol. Inside and below the bars, there will be two groups of 6 digits each in an EAN-13 bar code.
Read More: How to Determine Country of Origin From Barcodes
Read the first three numbers on the left, below the bars. They should be 750 if the item was packaged and shipped from Mexico by a Mexican manufacturer.
Writer Bio
Emily Manthei holds a masters degree from the University of Edinburgh and has written for publications as diverse as the "Oxford Journal of Theological Studies," "Emanuel Levy Film Reviews," "USA Today" and "Northern Express Magazine." She also writes screenplays for short and feature films.