Food packaging labels are coming under fire. Food products may be shelved in organic sections, thanks to food product labels purported that they are “natural.” How does this happen? “Food and beverage companies can label their products ‘natural’ without having to meet a clear definition by the FDA,” Fox News reports. Similarly, companies can use the terms “nutritious” and “wholesome” without much to back it up, and — in many states — it is even perfectly legal for companies to make their own determinations about whether a product is “GMO-Free.”
What The Public Should Look For
There are some regulations guiding the actions of corporations and the 55,965 U.S. men and women working for packaging companies, however. Namely, in order to use commercial labels with the phrases “USDA Organic” and “USDA Process Verified,” they must go through due legal process. For example, products must be 95% or more organic to display a “USDA Organic label.” “Processed foods can have a ‘made with organic (ingredients)’ label if at least 70% of them are organically produced,” Fox News continues. By understanding these regulations and what does and does not govern commercial labeling, consumers can make more educated decisions while purchasing.
What Manufacturers Should Take Away From It
Every year, the packaging industry brings in about $7 billion by printing and distributing all kinds of labels from bottle labels to shrink wrap varieties (a material most commonly used on boxes, cartons, and beverage cans). With some careful planning, you can order high quality product labels and pay relatively little for them. One thing to avoid is having to reorder any particular design, but with slight changes. And that’s where all of this language comes in. Consumers are getting wiser and smarter, and the government is doing what they can to help consumers make informed decisions. The loopholes of labeling products as “natural” or “wholesome” aren’t likely to last.
Don’t be one of those companies. Make the most out of commercial labeling by labeling products truthfully and with compelling design.
