The Food-Business QR Code (Karekod): A Guide for Restaurants

What is the food-business karekod?

The karekod is a business-specific image providing digital access to the business's registration/approval number, name, address and Ministry-shown inspection information. Its purpose is to increase the visibility of official controls and consumer transparency.

This code is different from a commercial QR code that links to the menu. A business should not use a self-designed code in place of the official karekod — it must use the business-specific image generated by the Ministry.

Which businesses does it apply to?

Per the Ministry's announcement, displaying the code where the consumer can see it has been mandatory since 28 July 2025 for food-sales venues and mass-catering venues such as restaurants, cafes and canteens.

Scope may differ for food-production facilities. If production, sales and mass-catering coexist at the same address, verify with the relevant provincial/district directorate how each activity should display its code.

How is the karekod generated?

1. Open the Ministry's official food-business karekod generation page.
2. Enter the required information accurately, such as the registration/approval number and tax number.
3. Download the business-specific image the system generates.
4. Print it at a readable size and quality.
5. Place the code where customers can easily see it during ordering or payment.
6. Verify each branch is using the correct code for its own address.

Important: generate your code only through the official Ministry domain. Do not enter business or tax information on third-party sites.

Where should the code be placed?

• Choose a spot near eye level where customers can comfortably pause.
• Do not shrink, crop or distort the code's geometry.
• Test for glare on any transparent covering.
• If a digital screen is used, ensure it is always accessible.
• Pick a location that survives cleaning but is easy to check.
• Test the printout with different phones at real usage distance.

Reflective surfaces, excessive height, poor lighting or placement behind decor all make scanning harder — the goal is a location the customer can see and scan comfortably with a phone.

What does the consumer see when they scan it?

Per Ministry statements, the consumer can access information such as the business's registration/approval number, name, address and the date of its last inspection. Displayed fields may change according to the Ministry's current implementation.

The code alone does not describe the business's overall quality performance or menu content — it presents specific information based on the official record.

What if the information doesn't match?

If the name, address or activity shown does not match reality, the official record should be corrected rather than designing a new image. Follow the current procedure of the relevant provincial/district directorate for an address, operator or activity change.

The date and responsible person for the karekod file can be added to the business opening checklist. Re-verification should happen at branch opening, transfer or relocation.

Common karekod mistakes

• Mistaking the menu QR code for the business karekod
• Using a code belonging to a different branch
• Shrinking the image inside decor until it's unreadable
• Overlaying a logo or text on the official code
• Hanging it only in a staff-only area
• Not updating the record when the address or name changes
• Generating a code through an unofficial third-party site