{"id":51123,"date":"2021-03-29T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=51123"},"modified":"2024-07-26T12:34:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T11:34:40","slug":"what-is-a-clean-label","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/what-is-a-clean-label\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Label Packaging & Food Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are no legal definitions or standards for a ‘clean label’. Manufacturers are constantly trying to keep up with consumer preferences and trends regarding the information consumers wish to receive from their packaging. For consumers, the main motivator behind the clean label trend is health and wellbeing. This article will outline what clean labelling refers to, and provide ideas about how to make a label more consumer friendly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a Clean Label?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Clean labelling is a widely accepted term used by the food industry, consumers and academics to describe a more consumer friendly label and trustworthy natural products. Consumers prefer packaging which is easier for them to understand, and products that are formulated without artificial ingredients or ingredients they cannot pronounce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, \u2018ascorbic acid\u2019 on a food label may sound too artificial or too processed to a consumer who wouldn\u2019t recognise it as vitamin C. A simple change of terminology will be perceived as more natural and less alien to the consumer, increasing trust in the product, and in turn, the brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the Clean Labelling Trends?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A clean label can refer to, but does not have to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy to Understand Ingredients and Consumer Friendly Names<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Creating a clean label food product starts at the formulation stage. Consider the ingredients used and if possible, choose ingredients a child will be able to recognise and find uncomplicated. For example, ammonium bicarbonate and disodium diphosphonate are not well known raising agents, instead consider using bicarbonate of soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smaller ingredients list will be viewed by the consumer as not including ingredients unnecessarily. Consider the categories of additives consumers are most sceptical of seeing on labelling. Can a free from additives claim be made – such as free from MSG (monosodium glutamate), artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clean label ingredients are natural ingredients of beneficial nutritional value and are generally perceived to be \u2018good\u2019, for example pea protein. Manufacturers trying to keep up with the clean label trend look to add ingredients that the consumer wants to see and remove \u2018bad\u2019 ingredients. The source of a sweetener in a product may also be regarded as \u2018good\u2019 and \u2018bad\u2019. Stevia is often perceived as a clean label ingredient while aspartame may not be viewed so highly.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sustainable, Ethically Sourced Ingredients and Packaging<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During the formulation of a product, the sourcing of the ingredients should be considered. Free range eggs, corn fed chicken and other animal welfare indications can be displayed on packaging to demonstrate ethical sourcing. Palm oil has recently received much attention regarding the sustainability of its production, and the impact it has had on deforestation and the biodiversity of the rainforest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers also look for the sustainability of packaging materials and how to correctly dispose of them. Using packaging materials which are recyclable, biodegradable or compostable, with the correct corresponding symbols, will demonstrate environmentally friendly values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy \u2018Good For You\u2019 Products<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Straightforward processing methods and ingredients are encouraged on a clean label. Products which meet the requirements to display statements such as \u2018raw<\/strong>\u2019, \u2018no added sugar<\/strong>\u2019, \u2018no-GMOs<\/strong>\u2019, \u2018organic<\/strong>\u2019, \u20181 of your 5 a day<\/strong>\u2019, \u2018low salt<\/strong>\u2019 may be perceived as healthier. Customers are more likely to view the brands displaying these claims as valuing health and nutrition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responsible Portion Control and Nutritional Declaration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A clean label implies the label is easy to understand. Portion nutritional information is often difficult to work out at first glance or not representative of how the product will be used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A drink in a meal deal implies it should be one portion, for example a 360ml smoothie. It is not fair to consumers to provide a 150ml portion recommendation on a 360ml bottle when including it in a meal deal. Equally, only providing 100ml and 150ml nutritional information does not easily inform the consumer what they would be consuming if they drank the whole 360ml bottle. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Clean Label Food Packaging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recognisable certifications from awarding bodies can be used to communicate the values of the brand and the integrity, ethics and sustainability of a product. In the UK, some of the logos and symbols that may be used on clean label products are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n