It is unfortunate that the average consumer most likely does not know everything he or she needs to make the best choices when it comes to buying foods, especially pre-packaged items, but that’s part of why making labels that inform is such an important responsibility. Certain marketing campaigns try to capitalize on a buzzword or trend by associating it with a particular product without necessarily giving the whole picture. Companies should take it upon themselves to address this by providing the most accurate information possible about the elements present in their food.
Take antioxidants, for example. A recent Washington Post piece examines the many ideas we associate with this mysterious ingredient and whether they are actually as beneficial as they are made to seem. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the article points out that much of what is broadcast is not medically true. According to it, pomegranates are no healthier than other kinds of fresh fruit, supplements don’t completely compensate for a balanced diet, and the presence of antioxidants on a box doesn’t necessarily indicate a health benefit. It all comes down to what specifically a person eats, and producers can use better packaging to remind shoppers of what antioxidants actually do and why their presence is normally desirable. This can be valuable for those who produce vitamin labels and bottles of diet medications to remember as well.
It might seem like a difficult task to encapsulate all of this into the limited space of a product label, but a company could also use their labels to direct consumers to websites where they might be better educated. A color label printer can be used to create a design that works for marketing purposes while also being informative.