Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Ossian Muscad
Food labels are essential for consumers to make informed decisions about their food choices. But understanding the information on a food label can be confusing and difficult, especially with the different safety labeling standards in place today. From organic certification to “best by” dates, it’s hard to know what you should look for when shopping for groceries.
This article will talk about food safety labeling so you can make better-informed decisions when choosing your food. We’ll explain what labels exist, why they’re essential, and what must-haves you should pay attention to when reading a label. By the end of this guide, you will better understand how foods are labeled and what each type of label means.
What is Food Labeling?
Food labeling is the practice of providing information on food products to inform consumers about their contents. This includes product name, ingredients, nutritional value, and origin of ingredients. The goal is for buyers to make informed decisions about their consumption.
While the government regulates food labeling, it is ultimately up to food manufacturers and producers to meet labeling standards. This means that there are different labeling requirements depending on the food product being labeled.
The Importance of Food Labeling
Food labeling is a crucial aspect of the food industry as it provides essential information about the food that is being consumed. As a result, consumers can make informed decisions about what they eat based on the nutritional value and ingredients list. The importance of food labeling can be divided into several subheadings:
Health and Safety
Food labels provide essential safety information, such as allergens present in the product. This information is essential to those who have allergies or are intolerant to certain foods. Nutritional information such as the calorie, fat, sodium, and sugar content can help consumers make better food choices that align with their dietary needs, promoting a balanced healthy lifestyle.
Transparency
Food labels provide transparency by informing consumers of the origin and source of the food product. This transparency can help build trust between consumers and the food industry.
Consumer Awareness
Food labeling creates awareness among consumers about their food and its impact on their health and the environment. This information can help consumers understand the benefits and risks and make informed decisions while buying food products, supporting responsible and sustainable food practices.
Government Regulations
Governments have regulations on how the food industry presents its products to consumers. Proper food labeling helps companies comply with regulations and avoid penalties. Food labeling regulations also ensure the product’s vital information is available to consumers, aiding their purchasing decisions.
10 Important Elements of Food Labeling
Food labeling is an essential aspect of the food industry. There are certain must-haves that must be present on a food label to ensure that consumers can make informed decisions when selecting food products. Here are the ten must-haves in food labeling:
Product Name
The product name should accurately describe the type of food it is. In addition, the name should be clear and easy to understand and not be misleading to the consumer.
Allergens
Allergens present in the product must be declared on the label. This is important for those with food allergies or intolerances, as they need to know if the product contains any ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.
Ingredients
All ingredients must be listed in descending order of their weight. This is important for consumers who want to know what ingredients are in their food, especially those who have dietary restrictions or concerns.
Net Contents
The net weight or volume of the product should be provided on the label. This information helps consumers determine how much product they purchase and is necessary for regulatory purposes.
Nutrition Facts
The product’s nutritional value must be mentioned, including serving size, calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients. This information is essential for consumers who want to know the nutritional value of their food.
Daily Value
The percentage of the daily value for each nutrient should be stated. The daily value is the recommended amount of each nutrient that a person should consume daily, which helps consumers determine if a product is a good source of a particular nutrient.
Manufacturer Information
The name and address of the manufacturer or distributor of the product must be stated. This information is essential for consumers who want to know more about the company that produced the food product.
Date Marking
The date on which the product was manufactured or packed should be mentioned. This information is essential for consumers who want to know how fresh the food product is.
Country of Origin
The country of origin or the place where the product was manufactured or produced should be included. This information is essential for consumers who want to know where their food comes from, especially if they prefer to purchase locally sourced products.
Storage and Usage Information
This includes information on storing and preparing the product and any recommended or necessary cooking instructions. This information is essential for consumers who want to know how to properly store and prepare food products.
A Step-by-step Guide To Creating Food Labels
Creating food labels can seem like a daunting task for food companies. However, providing consumers with accurate and informative labeling details is crucial. Here is a guide on how to create food labels with subheadings.
Step 1: Get the Basic Information
Before beginning to create the food label, gather all the necessary information. This includes the name, ingredients, nutritional information, allergens, net weight or volume of the product, and the date of manufacture or packing.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Format
There are different formats for food labeling, including linear or tabular formats. Choose the appropriate format depending on the type and size of the product.
Step 3: Write Clear and Concise Information
The information provided on the label must be clear and easy to understand. Use simple language and avoid technical terms that may confuse the consumer. The font size should be legible, and the text should be large enough to read easily.
Step 4: Follow Labeling Regulations
Different countries have different regulations regarding food labeling. Ensure that the food label meets all the legal requirements of the location where the product is sold.
Step 5: List All Ingredients
List all the ingredients in descending order of weight on the label. This helps consumers understand the contents of the product and determine if they want to consume it.
Step 6: Include Nutritional Information
Nutritional information must include serving size, calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients. This helps consumers know more about the nutritional content of the food product.
Step 7: Add Allergen Information
Food allergies are becoming increasingly common, so it is essential to list all allergens present in the product. This information helps consumers with allergies or intolerances make informed decisions about their consumption.
Step 8: Design the Label with Branding in Mind
Design the food label in such a manner that it is aesthetically pleasing while being informative. The label should convey the brand’s ethos while retaining its function.
Step 9: QA and Approve the Final Label
Before printing the final label, conduct quality assurance checks to ensure the information provided is accurate and complies with all regulations.
Creating a food label that meets the legal requirements while providing accurate nutritional information and allergen declaration is crucial. Clear and concise information that is easy to understand, combined with an aesthetically pleasing design, can help boost the product’s appeal and increase trust between consumers and the food industry.
Create Food Labels Using a Low-code Platform
While creating a food label from scratch can be lengthy and tedious, using a low-code platform to create labels is much simpler. Low-code platforms typically have an easy-to-use and intuitive interface that allows users to quickly create labels with minimal effort and time. Low-code platforms also enable users to customize the design of the label and store it for future use.
DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a low-code workflow automation software with a checklist and smart form builder. This tool lets you create a comprehensive food label according to the specific needs of your product, ensuring that it meets all legal criteria.
To create a checklist or form template using DATAMYTE, follow these steps:
- Log in to the DATAMYTE software platform and navigate to the ‘Checklist’ module.
- Click “Create Checklist” to create a new template.
- Define the title of the template and the category in which it belongs.
- Use DATAMYTE’s low-code capabilities by adding items to the template; click “Add Item.” You can define the description of the item, the type of answer required, and any other specifications, such as reference documents, acceptance criteria, or limits.
- Assign appropriate personnel responsible for completing the template and any required approvals, such as supervisors or quality assurance personnel.
- Save the template, and it will be available for use.
DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a holistic assessment of critical process steps, focusing on the areas with the highest risk of failure or non-compliance. By conducting LPA with DATAMYTE, you can effectively identify and correct defects before they become major quality issues.
DATAMYTE is the complete package for creating and implementing effective food safety labels. Book a demo with our team today to learn how DATAMYTE can help you create food labels that meet all safety requirements.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of food safety labeling. Ensuring that the information provided on a label is accurate, complete, and compliant with current regulations is essential. Creating a label from scratch is a complex and time-consuming process, but with DATAMYTE’s low-code platform, you can quickly and easily create labels that meet all safety criteria.
