What changes can we expect in packaged food labeling in the future?
Key Highlights: In recent years, with the frequent occurrence of food safety emergencies, public attention to food labels has steadily increased. Consumer complaints arising from inaccuracies in label information have become more common, prompting national authorities to place greater emphasis on food labeling and to introduce a series of relevant regulations and policies aimed at standardizing packaged-food labels. At the same time, food-labeling practices are evolving toward greater diversity.
As consumer awareness of food safety continues to rise, demands for the amount of information conveyed on food labels are also increasing. In recent years, with the recurring emergence of food-safety incidents, public interest in food labels has grown, leading to an increase in consumer complaints over labeling errors. This has, in turn, prompted the government to prioritize food labeling and to enact a range of regulations and policies to standardize packaging-label requirements. Concurrently, food-label development is moving in a more diversified direction.
Standardization and Regulation
According to reports, as of October 19, the mandatory national standard GB 4806.1-2016, “General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials,” has officially come into effect. Under this standard, single-use packaging products that come into direct contact with food must bear labels indicating “For Food Contact” or “For Food Packaging.” In addition, such labels must include information such as product name, material composition, manufacturer’s name and address, contact details, production date, applicable standards, and usage instructions. Furthermore, the label must remain affixed to the smallest retail package and cannot be separated from it. Products with special usage requirements must also clearly state methods of use, precautions, intended applications, operating environments, and temperature ranges. The author believes that the implementation of this policy not only further refines the regulatory framework for food-contact materials but also provides a clear basis for proper food-labeling practices.
In addition, labeling requirements for infant formula are becoming increasingly stringent. The National Medical Products Administration has issued the “Technical Guidance Principles for Labeling of Infant Formula Product Formulations (Trial),” which sets strict rules regarding product-name labeling, label format, prohibited claims, and optional labeling content. For example, claims related to nutrient content and functional benefits must comply with the wording stipulated in the national food-safety standards. Any claims beyond these standards require prior approval from the State Council’s health administration before they can be used. Moreover, all claim-related text on label drafts must appear on non-primary display surfaces.
Digitalization and Smart Technology
With the continuous advancement of information technology, food labels are becoming increasingly digital and intelligent. Traditional printing methods can no longer meet the growing demand for personalized and variable-data printing, making the market trend toward digital printing ever more pronounced. Some printing companies have begun producing fully intelligent packaging labels; for instance, Hebei Xindong Printing has introduced high-end equipment for flexographic printing and anti-counterfeiting solutions, continuously developing various anti-counterfeiting technologies to enhance the security features of premium food packaging. This approach seamlessly integrates aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, blending style and cutting-edge technology to gradually achieve the strategic goal of exporting high-quality packaging products overseas.
In fact, the intelligence of food packaging is largely embodied in its labels, with barcodes and QR codes being common examples of smart-label applications in everyday life. The author has learned that a Finnish company has launched a “smart” bottle of Kallevala gin featuring Thinfilm’s NFC SpeedTap? labels. Each SpeedTap label is unique and virtually impossible to clone; using NFC technology, consumers can read the label directly with their smartphones or other devices, thereby significantly enhancing customer loyalty and brand promotion.
Smart labels not only enable interactive engagement between consumers and products but can also help assess food quality. For example, the Japanese design studio TO-GENKYO has developed a smart label with a special coating that changes color in response to variations in ammonia concentration, allowing users to gauge the freshness of food.
Green and Eco-Friendly Practices
As the concept of energy conservation and environmental protection gains wider acceptance, industries across the board are responding accordingly—and the food-label sector is no exception. The author has learned that the green and eco-friendly transformation of food labels primarily involves the choice of materials. Singapore, for instance, has introduced a series of environmentally friendly labels that are more cost-effective and better suited to sustainable development than traditional materials. With ongoing advances in science and technology combined with the growing emphasis on energy conservation and environmental protection, food-label trends are poised to move further in a green and eco-friendly direction.
In light of these developments, the author believes that as consumers’ health and safety consciousness continue to strengthen, they will pay closer attention to label information. Food-processing and food-packaging companies should therefore closely monitor emerging trends in food-labeling and prioritize continuous improvement of their labeling practices. At the same time, the packaging-machinery manufacturing industry must also stay attuned to these trends and keep pace with technological advancements to ensure it remains on the right track for future growth.
2023-12-26
