As reported by this blog, organic and other eco-friendly labels are increasing in popularity among consumers and, therefore, becoming more prevalent on the shelves of stores. As the demand increases, so have the various kinds of labels and organizations offering inspection. According to Fox News, this has created a level of confusion among consumers and businesses, as many are unsure which labels to trust.
“Credible labels can be very helpful in helping people get to what they want to get to and pay more for something they really care about,” Urvashi Rangan, director of consumer safety at Consumer Reports, told the source. “The labels are a way to bring the bottom up and force whole industries to improve their practices.”
In addition, many farmers believe that their custom labels help distinguish the company from competitors. For example, Gena Nonini told the source that her products, an assortment of fruits and nuts, are certified organic, biodynamic and kosher. This allows her to penetrate niche markets that are in high-demand, which, in turn, allows her to charge more for her product.
But, as a setback, there is a number of paperwork, inspections and risk involved with maintaining an organic farm. These factors have also led many producers to increase prices on their products, regardless of the demand.
While “USDA Organic” may be a heavily regulated food label, others such as “natural,” “free-range,” and “antibiotic free” are not.
With consumers not only placing more priority on eco-friendly labels through legislation demands, such as Proposition 37, but also paying for premium-priced products because of the certifications on the labels, businesses may want to capitalize on this consumer trend. By investing in a Primera LX900 color label printer, companies can create custom labels needed to communicate the eco-friendly certifications it may have been awarded by government and regulatory bodies.
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