While FDA regulations sometimes mandate the use of special food labels in response to potentially harmful ingredients, a company can comply before an official order is made. Well-known gum producer Wrigley has become another company targeted by the agency for the use of caffeine in its products, but rather than prolong an investigation or go to court over the issue, the company has announced that it will be putting an end to its “Alert Energy” brand of caffeine-infused gum products.
Even though the labels for the Alert gum visually display the relationship between serving sizes and a cup of coffee, the company has decided to cease making it, a move that comes in the wake of similar concerns over the health risks of other caffeinated items, such as energy drinks, especially among children.
CNN quoted Casey Keller, Wrigley’s president, as being in agreement with the government on this issue, despite Alert having only been made available recently.
“After discussions with the FDA, we have a greater appreciation for its concern about the proliferation of caffeine in the nation’s food supply,” Keller said, originally speaking to the Associated Press. “There is a need for changes in the regulatory framework to better guide the consumers and the industry about the appropriate level and use of caffeinated products.”
Gum and candy labels often have less physical space to work with when it comes to displaying important information to users. This makes it all the more essential for companies to create packaging with a clear depiction of the ingredients contained and what that might mean. It can be done with the right planning, and businesses that purchase their own color label printer for this purpose can consider designs that take this into account.
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