May 27, 2014 - Blogs
Although clean label is a priority for most product designers, this unregulated descriptor has many meanings, providing a great deal of flexibility in formulations. Definitions vary by the party involved: ingredient suppliers, food and beverage manufacturers, retailers and consumers all have their own opinion of what qualifies as a clean label.
Research shows that a growing number of consumers have concerns about food additives. When they see a long, unfamiliar names, the often think the additive is a complex chemical compound. But the fact is, every food we eat—whether a just-picked strawberry or a homemade cookie—is made up of chemical compounds that determine flavor, color, texture and nutrient value, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Sometimes they are naturally present and other times added by the manufacturer. Regarding the latter, all food additives are carefully regulated by the federal authorities and various international organizations to ensure that foods are safe to eat and are accurately labeled. Still, consumers are increasingly seeking out what might be described as cleaner chemicals.
Clean label is best described as a formulating strategy. It often refers to eliminating chemical-sounding ingredients or any ingredient recognized as being artificial. However, other interpretations include “simple”—which focuses on a short ingredient statement with understandable ingredients—and transparency, which is using the label to communicate what’s inside a product to consumers so they can make an informed purchase decision.
Ultimately, consumers are looking for simple, real foods that have undergone minimal processing and contain the fewest ingredient possible. But what they don’t understand is that it is not easy to have the best of both worlds; that is, fresh, real and clean along with quick, convenient and inexpensive. Additives are needed in today’s food supply to get food safely from farm to table. Despite the proven safety of food additives, what matters is that consumers purchase the product. Their interpretation of clean label is what counts.
For a closer look at defining clean label, along with ingredient options for clean-label products, download Food Product Design’s free Digital Issue, “Chemical Connotations.”
Research shows that a growing number of consumers have concerns about food additives. When they see a long, unfamiliar names, the often think the additive is a complex chemical compound. But the fact is, every food we eat—whether a just-picked strawberry or a homemade cookie—is made up of chemical compounds that determine flavor, color, texture and nutrient value, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Sometimes they are naturally present and other times added by the manufacturer. Regarding the latter, all food additives are carefully regulated by the federal authorities and various international organizations to ensure that foods are safe to eat and are accurately labeled. Still, consumers are increasingly seeking out what might be described as cleaner chemicals.
Clean label is best described as a formulating strategy. It often refers to eliminating chemical-sounding ingredients or any ingredient recognized as being artificial. However, other interpretations include “simple”—which focuses on a short ingredient statement with understandable ingredients—and transparency, which is using the label to communicate what’s inside a product to consumers so they can make an informed purchase decision.
Ultimately, consumers are looking for simple, real foods that have undergone minimal processing and contain the fewest ingredient possible. But what they don’t understand is that it is not easy to have the best of both worlds; that is, fresh, real and clean along with quick, convenient and inexpensive. Additives are needed in today’s food supply to get food safely from farm to table. Despite the proven safety of food additives, what matters is that consumers purchase the product. Their interpretation of clean label is what counts.
For a closer look at defining clean label, along with ingredient options for clean-label products, download Food Product Design’s free Digital Issue, “Chemical Connotations.”
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