Salssa fuels athletes through smart packaging with Digital Link
For endurance athletes, nutrition isn’t just about energy—it’s about digestive health, sustained performance, and clean ingredients. Salssa, a pioneering sports nutrition brand, was founded by Savina (pilot & athlete), Anna (sports nutritionist), and Pau (PhD in Nanomedicine & entrepreneur) with the mission to redefine sports fuel by eliminating refined sugars and artificial additives.
With 15+ years of experience in athletic performance and nutrition, the Salssa team identified a major challenge in their industry: limited space on packaging prevented them from delivering the depth of information athletes needed to make informed choices. From explaining which product best supports different workout intensities to educating customers on digestive-friendly formulas, traditional labels were simply too restrictive.
Additionally, Salssa wanted to create a deeper, more personal connection with its audience by showcasing real athletes who embody their mission. Enter Jan Castillo—an elite trail runner and medical student balancing his studies with high-performance training. His story resonates with athletes who view endurance sports not just as competition, but as a lifelong passion.
To deliver all this information in a seamless, engaging way, Salssa needed a dynamic digital solution integrated into their packaging.
Pau Rocas, CEO @Salssa
Thinking out of the box
To overcome these challenges, Salssa integrated Digital Link-powered 2D barcodes into their packaging, transforming it into an interactive gateway for consumers. With a simple smartphone scan, customers gain immediate access to detailed product insights, including nutritional benefits, ingredient breakdowns, and guidance on which products best support different types of exercise.
Beyond product specifications, the QR codes serve as an educational hub, offering infographics that illustrate the science behind sustained energy release and the benefits of whole-food ingredients. This digital layer enhances transparency, allowing athletes to make informed choices about their nutrition.
Salssa’s smart packaging also strengthens its brand narrative by sharing real athlete experiences, such as the story of Jan Castillo. As an elite trail runner and medical student, Jan embodies the discipline and endurance that define the brand’s philosophy. Through Salssa’s digital content, consumers can follow his journey, learn from his training regimen, and connect with a broader community of athletes who share a passion for performance and well-being.
Building a more engaged and future-proof brand
The introduction of smart packaging has fundamentally reshaped how Salssa connects with its customers. By integrating 2D barcodes, the brand now offers instant access to detailed product information, strengthening consumer trust through transparency. Athletes can easily explore ingredient breakdowns, usage recommendations, and real stories from elite competitors, reinforcing confidence in the brand’s commitment to performance-driven nutrition.
Beyond providing information, augmented QR codes have transformed Salssa’s packaging into an interactive experience, deepening consumer engagement and fostering brand loyalty. Instead of a static label, each product becomes a touchpoint for storytelling, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the journeys of real athletes like Jan Castillo, whose experience underscores the essential role of nutrition in endurance sports.
Salssa’s digital-first approach also ensures long-term scalability. Their smart packaging is fully compatible with point-of-sale (POS) systems, while also adapting to evolving regulatory requirements in European markets. By embracing 2D barcodes early, the brand has positioned itself at the forefront of athlete-driven engagement, ensuring its products remain as agile, adaptable, and high-performing as the athletes they fuel.
