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Clean labels and a focus on product purity are driving even further changes in the candy industry. Last year, major candymakers like Nestle and the Hershey company gained attention for their commitment to simpler ingredients. Now, Mars continues the trend with a pair of recent actions. Both of them point to the company’s commitment to pursuing the local, more “organic” options that have become a motivating factor for consumers.
On February 8, the company said that it would transition to eggs that only come from cage-free chickens in their food products over the next four years. These changes will take place in the United States and Canada in North America, as well as Australia, and follow on improvements the company made in Europe some six years ago.
The other major change to come so far this year is the use of GMO labels. In the past, this has been a divisive issue, but Mars is just one of several companies to make a similar commitment for its food products. Mars recently published a statement on its website regarding the safety of using GMOs. Despite its decision to identify these ingredients in its large product line, the company was adamant that GMOs pose no health threat.
“We firmly believe [genetically modified] ingredients are safe,” the company stated. “Food developed through biotechnology has been studied extensively and judged safe by a broad range of regulatory agencies, scientists, health professionals, and other experts around the world.”
What Does a Clean Label Look Like?
An NPR story on this trend featured a photo of a possible GMO label on a can of Campbell’s soup. To the casual eye, it simply resembles a block of black text against a white background, in roughly the same font as the ingredients list above it, if bolded.
Though this doesn’t have the graphical elements of other product quality labels, it does fit in with the overall packaging and suggest a continuation of the other information. The Campbell Soup Company is another manufacturer supporting better GMO labeling, and has championed mandatory descriptors. Such labels would tell consumers that a food item was “partially produced with genetic engineering.” This contrasts with the colorful, butterfly label promoted by the Non-GMO Project.
Addressing Issues With Printing
Whatever the legal repercussions of the current GMO movement, food companies should review their labels for a better chance of adapting to new rules. A label for a “cleaner” product could have entirely different coloring and design, but it could also leave room for additional text, in case a new GMO label has to be added.
One way to stay engaging while still promoting transparency is to use a colorful, elegant design that connects with the target audience. Last year, Packaging World profiled Rhythm Kefir Cultures, a brand of probiotic drinks that feature bold, easy-to-read images and a stylized logo.
The project manager for this brand, BrandOpus, told the source that “many competitors focus on the science behind the wellness within the product. This can lead to ‘unbranded’ packs which are too technical for many to decipher.” Rhythm, in contrast, wanted to present things simply.
How Primera Can Help
The Primera series of printers can provide food and beverage labels that make a brand look appealing while still emphasizing important points. With reliable speed and a CMYK print head system, the Primera LX900 will help companies meet important deadlines on time, ensuring that their labels are vibrant and visually appealing. The LX2000 also allows for high quality labels, with pigment-based ink and 4800 dpi resolution.
Find out more about the Primera Label Printers and their accessories by clicking here. Canadian customers can click here to see the same products in our Canadian store.
