Keeping an eye on ‘fortified’

Of the many popular food buzzwords in the manufacturing and packaging industries, “fortified” is among the most misleading. It may sound like a positive word that implies a food item has been improved. However, it is not that simple, and your company might want to avoid this claim in light of some of the bad press that “fortified” food has been getting.

There’s a concern around foods that come with this language, particularly when it comes to children’s cereals. The report on this subject that’s got everyone talking is from the Environmental Working Group, which asserted that there are too many different kinds of vitamins being put into cereal, which might ultimately lead to health concerns.

These include an uneven balance of ingredients like zinc and niacin, which are being consumed in large quantities, partially based on misjudged serving sizes that don’t reflect reality. Some children are also taking supplements in addition to the vitamins they receive from these sources, which can increase the chance of them developing complications through an overload of these elements.

“Routinely ingesting too much vitamin A over a long time — from foods such as liver, fortified foods or supplements — can lead to liver damage, skeletal abnormalities, peeling skin, brittle nails and hair loss,” the report says about just one of these possible ingredients.

Is there a way to get the benefits of these vitamins while still communicating honestly about their inclusion? Using label printing software, your company can determine the right style to take in presenting this information. Then, with the right complimentary printing systems, you can focus on making those better food labels a reality.