We have all walked through a grocery aisle and seen words like, “Supports Immunity”, “Helps Memory”, or “Metabolism Booster” pop out from product labels ranging from the produce department to the ice cream freezers.  When terms like these are used on a product, it is obviously to catch your attention and create an impulse to buy.  Unfortunately, many of these claims are misleading.  While a product may help your memory or assist in losing weight, unless there is scientific evidence to back up the words, the label in violation of the FDA.

You are probably thinking, “I see labels like these all the time?”  Well, you are right, food labels with marketing claims like these run rampant, and the FDA is setting out to fix it.  The major issue at hand is the FDA doesn’t have enough resources to go after every incorrect or misleading food label.  For the most part, the FDA does not need to approve a label before a product is introduced to the public, especially if there are under 100,000 units (small producers).  Now, the FDA is working to improve their requirements, while also making it easier for compliance.

Michael Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA states, “The FDA must pick its battles – and set its priorities – in a way that will benefit the public health.  To that end, we have launched a major campaign to improve nutrition labeling – a campaign whose goal is to ensure that consumers can rely on food labels to make informed choices, build healthy diets, and reduce their risk of obesity and chronic disease.”

To that end, we at InTouch Labels are also going to work harder to help ensure our customer’s are in compliance with the new regulations and style changes for their food labels.  We aren’t here to police every label that passes through our presses, but it is our job to help guide labelers through the printing process, and in the world of food labels, the printing process does involve the FDA.  If you are using a claim that cannot be proven, it is in your best interest to update the label design with indisputable information.  This won’t only ensure you are following the FDA’s guidelines, but it will also show your customers that you believe in your product based on factual merits.

Don’t worry if you feel there isn’t a good way to market your product without these catchy statements.  There are plenty of words and design choices you can make that will make your product stand out and get sold.  If you need help coming up with some good designs for your food label, contact our design department.  We offer all our expertise at no charge, so don’t hesitate to at least see what we can come up with!