A container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine, the container for containing beverage or foodstuff preparation material and comprising on a surface thereof a code encoding preparation information, the code comprising a reference portion and a data portion: the reference portion comprising a linear arrangement of at least two reference units defining a reference line r, the data portion having an encoding area comprising at least one data unit, wherein said data unit is arranged on an encoding line D that intersects the reference line r, the data unit occupies any continuous distance d along the encoding line D within the bounds of the encoding area as a variable to at least partially encode a parameter of the preparation information, whereby said encoding line D is linear and arranged orthogonal to the reference line r.