What consumers look for on labels when determining purchases

Consumers have begun demanding more clarity and information from food producers and retailers, especially on their labels. One area in which this is becoming particularly popular is with breakfast foods, according to the Huffington Post. Considering it’s the first meal of the day, the importance of a healthy breakfast has been prominent in consumers minds’.

But, there are a few things customers look for from their breakfast products that producers should be sure to provide on their labels.

According to the source, consumers should be looking at sugar content as a major aspect of choosing their cereals – not to mention nearly all food products. As New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg has recently proposed a ban on “sugary sodas,” the s-word has become a major issue in American diets. The sugar content of any food, let alone cereals, is very important for consumers and producers.

Furthermore, whole grains are also a major aspect of foods for consumers. Not just with health concerns from consumers who may have Celiac disease – which affects the way an individual processes gluten – but also for overall health. Many consumers are confused about what constitutes as a whole grain as, most often, companies will label their product as providing whole grains when it may actually contain a mix of both whole and refined grains.

Protein has also become an increasingly popular component of health-conscious consumers. The source recommends that, as far as cereals go, each serving should have roughly seven to 12 grams. But, much like whole grains and sugars, protein percentages are becoming important as they’re an effective means of acquiring sustainable energy.

Retailers or manufacturers that produce breakfast foods or cereals may want to keep these in mind when designing their custom labels. Emphasizing the right nutritional facts on a label can help promote brand awareness and play toward what customers want to know from food producers.