Though some aspects of label design can be solely up to the company doing the printing, others, particularly when it comes to food labels, stem from official requirements or suggestions laid out by the government.
Until recently, consumers who bought “gluten-free” foods may have been in the dark as to what that term actually means in different contexts, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to be fighting against that. A press release issued on the agency’s official website has explained the guidelines, which suggests the gluten content must be under “20 parts per million” to be considered eligible for this distinction. The text itself defines this specific amount further as 20 milligrams for every kilogram.
In addition to reportedly generating $110 million due to annual health benefits from this change, the ruling seems designed to address concern for the number of negative health effects gluten can have on sufferers of celiac disease.
“Establishing a definition of the term ‘gluten-free’ and uniform conditions for its use in food labeling will help ensure that individuals with celiac disease are not misled and are provided with truthful and accurate information with respect to foods so labeled,” the summary statement reads.
Even when such terms are not mandated and are simply guidelines, it can be in the best interest of companies that produce food to start making labels that either demonstrate compliance or warn the customer of potential risks. Specialty health products can so easily lead consumers astray with their packaging, but the use of something as fundamental as a color label printer can make the process easier.
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