There has been a huge increase in popularity for organic and natural foods. Consumers want to be environmentally-friendly while keeping a close watch on their own personal health. A recent Forbes article said that there are over 200 “eco-labels” on supermarket shelves. However, the fact that so many options are available could be overwhelming for health-conscious shoppers.
A new report by Organic Monitor found that many labels in the marketplace are causing confusion among consumers. Specifically, what different food labels mean and the criteria behind them are not always clear.
According to Organic Monitor, a majority of the $75 billion eco-labeled food and drink market are organic products. Additionally, more than 84 countries now have national organic standards, and the differences between “organic” labels from various areas is often lost on shoppers.
“Growing consumer awareness of food production methods and sustainability issues has been responsible for the rise of eco-labels in the food industry,” the Organic Monitor said in a blog post. “With the number and types of eco-labels proliferating, there is a concern that food producers could be discouraged to adopt eco-labels because of the growing disparity between standards and multiple certification costs.”
The report added that the larger question at hand is – How can consumers distinguish between the growing number of logos and seals of organic/fair trade products? It also suggested the possibility of how a large, umbrella eco-label could help in easing some of the shoppers’ confusion.
Organic food companies that want to design custom labels need to ensure that they are adhering to all federal requirements. Additionally, it’s important to use labels for natural foods that are unique and colorful, which will draw consumers’ attentions.
Investing in a Primera LX900 color label printer will allow businesses the ability to create innovative and eye-catching labels for all of their food and drink products.
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