It’s easy to forget that many of our daily activities were once done differently. Watching your favorite TV show required appointment viewing, now we just stream or set the DVR. The GPS on our phones makes it easy to find our way to an unfamiliar destination, physical maps are no longer required. And when we go to the grocery store, we look at ingredient and nutrition labels to avoid foods we’re allergic to or that contain elements we’re trying to avoid. Yet, it wasn’t until 1990 when the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) was signed into law that this information was readily available. Although you can still watch your TV show by appointment viewing and get to a new destination using a physical map, it would be hard to ensure your health without information about food. From ingredients and nutrition information to allergy warnings and expiration dates, dietary and food labels guide purchases and safeguard our health.

Regulatory Compliance

Food labeling regulations are vital for maintaining consumer safety and trust. They ensure that all food products on the market are properly labeled with accurate and helpful information. Regulatory bodies like the FDA mandate specific requirements, including nutritional information, ingredient lists, and allergen warnings, to protect consumers and enable them to make healthier choices. For example, the FDA requires that food labels clearly state the presence of eight major food allergens, which include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.

Consumer Health

In addition, accurate and transparent labeling safeguards consumer health. Today, nearly 20 million people in the U.S. have food allergies. Another 48 million get sick from foodborne diseases. Although dietary and food labels can’t always prevent these events from occurring, clearly stating allergens, nutritional information, and dietary claims, help consumers make better food choices and lead a healthier, safer life.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional labels provide a snapshot of the food's content, such as calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This information is vital for everyone, but especially for those managing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. By understanding the nutritional composition of foods, consumers can better manage their calorie intake and nutritional balance, which is essential for maintaining or achieving a healthy lifestyle. For instance, labels that highlight low sodium content are crucial for individuals with hypertension who are trying to manage their salt intake.

Dietary Claims - Guiding Consumers’ Decisions

Food labels often carry dietary claims like "low-fat," "organic," "no added sugars," or "gluten-free." These claims can guide consumers in choosing products that align with their health goals or dietary needs. However, these claims must be substantiated by factual and regulatory-compliant information to avoid misleading consumers. For example, the term "organic" is regulated by national organic program standards, and products labeled as such must meet strict agricultural and processing criteria.

Building Trust and Loyalty

Transparency in labeling not only protects health but also builds consumer trust. When companies provide clear and truthful information about their products, consumers are more likely to trust these brands and become loyal customers. This trust is foundational in a competitive market where consumers are increasingly seeking brands that demonstrate honesty and accountability in their labeling practices.

Trends in Food Labeling

Clean labeling is a trend impacting food and beverage products. Clean labeling in food products is a response to a growing consumer preference for natural and whole food ingredients over those perceived as artificial or unnatural. This movement is largely driven by health-conscious consumers who prioritize products free from additives and preservatives. For example, in the United States, 63% of adults say the ingredients in a food or beverage have at least a moderate influence on what they buy, and 64% say they try to choose foods made with “clean ingredients.” While 'clean' lacks a formal legal definition, key trends in product claims include "no additives or preservatives," "organic," and "non-GMO," each often reinforced by certification logos that are widely recognized and trusted by consumers. Further, as consumers increasingly demand products that not only support their health but also reflect their environmental values, manufacturers are exploring label simplification. In fact, a majority of consumers prefer a single, comprehensive label that clearly communicates the product’s impact on health and the environment, rather than multiple overlapping labels. As a result, manufacturers are working to provide clear, concise labeling to avoid consumer confusion.

UAL’s Labeling Solutions

United Ad Label provides a diverse array of stock and custom labeling solutions tailored to meet the unique demands of the food industry.

Stock Dietary and Food Labels

For many applications, stock labels are an effective way to communicate food and dietary information.

• Food Prep and Inventory Labels - elevate food safety by communicating expiration dates and other quality control standards.
• Food Allergies - labels that highlight common food allergens such as nuts, gluten, and shellfish and increase food service safety.
• Food Service Communication Labels - details information ranging from organic ingredients to noting the type of sandwich.
• Nutrition Labels - nutrition labels highlight dietary needs and restrictions. 
• Deli Labels - these linerless labels contain the price, barcode for scanning at checkout, nutritional information, expiration dates and more, which then gets applied to the package.
• Food Delivery and Storage Labels - instill confidence in food delivery and packing that items have remained unopened during transit or while on shelves.

Multi-Version Labeling

Foods and beverages come in various assortments. Although those variations may meet consumer demands, they create labeling challenges for the marketing and packaging teams. For example, designing, updating, ordering and inventorying the unique labels for each item adds time and complexity to managing the product line. Multi-version labeling is an effective method of tackling this challenge.

A single layout design allows you to develop just one version of the label and add variable data, such as expiration dates or ingredients, eliminating the need for multiple unique label designs.

Healthcare Food Labeling Solutions

UAL’s dietary and food labels also enhance food safety and patient care within health systems and hospitals.

From patients with dietary restrictions, such as vegetarians, or specific nutrition requirements to maintaining quality control standards in food preparation, UAL offers a complete range of products geared to hospital food service operations.

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements have enhanced the way labels are designed, produced, and implemented.

Printing Technologies

Digital printing techniques allow for high-resolution, vibrant labels that are both eye-catching and informative. This technology enables the printing of variable data on labels, including batch numbers expiration dates, and more.

QR Codes and Smart Labels

A consumer can scan a label to find out detailed information about the product including nutritional details, origin of ingredients, or even the environmental impact of the product.

Material Durability

Certain label materials such as polypropylene are durable and resistant to environmental factors such as moisture, cooking oils, while polyester labels prevent fading from UV light. This ensures that the information remains legible and intact.

Sustainability

Innovations in biodegradable and compostable label materials provide sustainable labeling solutions and align with the increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. For example, linerless labels use a special release coating instead of a liner which eliminates waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

United Ad Label

United Ad Label produces stock and custom dietary and food labels that improve food safety and help consumers make informed decisions. Our catalog contains dozens of products used for food labeling and in food service operations. Plus, when you need a multi-version product label or another type of custom product, our custom label designer app allows you to easily design, price, proof and order a product that meets your specific needs. Contact us to learn more.