What changes will we see in food packaging labels in the future?

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Core Tip: In recent years, with the continuous occurrence of food safety emergencies, people's attention to food labels has been continuously increasing. Consumer complaints due to errors in information labeling on food labels have frequently occurred, thus attracting national attention to food labels and markings, leading to the introduction of a series of relevant regulations and policies to standardize packaged food labels. At the same time, the development of food labels is also moving towards diversification.  With the continuous improvement of consumer safety awareness, the demand for the amount of information carried on food labels has increased. In recent years, with the continuous occurrence of food safety emergencies, people's attention to food labels has been continuously increasing, and consumers

　　With the continuous improvement of consumer safety awareness, the demand for the amount of information carried on food labels has increased. In recent years, with the continuous occurrence of food safety emergencies, people's attention to food labels has been continuously increasing. Consumer complaints due to errors in information labeling on food labels frequently occur, thus attracting national attention to food labels and markings, leading to the introduction of a series of relevant regulations and policies to standardize packaged food labels. At the same time, the development of food labels is also moving towards diversification.

　　Standardization

　　It is reported that from October 19th, the mandatory national standard "GB 4806.1-2016 General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials" has been officially implemented. From this, I understand that disposable packaging products in direct contact with food must be marked with the logo: "For Food Contact" or "For Food Packaging". In addition, it must also indicate "Name, Material, Manufacturer, Address, Contact Information, Production Date, Implementation Standard, Instructions for Use", etc. At the same time, the label cannot be separated from its smallest sales packaging. Products with special usage requirements should indicate the method of use, precautions, applications, usage environment, usage temperature, etc. I believe that the implementation of this policy will further refine food contact materials while also providing a basis for food label marking.

　　In addition, the labeling of milk powder is becoming increasingly stringent. It is understood that the State Drug Administration has issued the "Technical Guidelines for the Registration and Labeling of Infant Formula Powder Products (Trial)", which strictly stipulates the requirements for the product name of infant formula powder labels, the form requirements of labels, the prohibited requirements of labels, and other labeling requirements such as optional labeling content, such as the content and function of milk powder labels. I have learned that content claims and function claims must be labeled in accordance with the wording stipulated in the national food safety standards. If enterprises label content claims and function claims outside the current national food safety standards, they must be approved by the State Council's health administrative department before they can be labeled. The claims involved in the label sample should be labeled in text form on the non-main display surface.

　　Digitalization, Intelligence

　　With the continuous development of information technology, food labels are becoming increasingly digital and intelligent. To this end, traditional printing can no longer meet the needs of personalized printing and variable data printing, so the market's demand for digital printing is showing an increasingly obvious growth trend. Some printing companies have started fully intelligent packaging label production, such as Hebei Xindong Printing, which has introduced high-end production equipment such as flexographic printing products and anti-counterfeiting products, and continuously develops various anti-counterfeiting technologies, adding anti-counterfeiting functions to exquisite food packaging, achieving a perfect combination of beauty and practicality, fashion and high technology, and gradually achieving the strategic goal of exporting high-quality packaging products overseas.

　　In fact, the intelligence of food packaging mainly lies in the label, and barcodes and QR codes are common applications of intelligent labels in life. I have learned that a Finnish company has released a "smart" bottle of high-end Kalevala gin using Thinfilm's NFC SpeedTap™ label. Each SpeedTap label is unique and almost impossible to clone. Through NFC technology, it can be read using a smartphone or device, which will greatly enhance consumer loyalty and brand promotion.

　　Intelligent labels can not only achieve interactive communication between consumers and products, but also identify the quality of food. It is understood that the Japanese design studio TO-GENKYO has invented an intelligent label with a special coating. This label will change color due to changes in ammonia concentration, and thus can identify the freshness of food.

　　Green, Environmental Protection

　　With the continuous promotion of the concept of energy saving and environmental protection, various fields are also actively responding, and the food label field is no exception. I understand that the green and environmentally friendly nature of labels mainly lies in the materials of the labels. It is understood that Singapore has launched a series of green and environmentally friendly labels. Compared with other materials, this new type of label is more economical and more suitable for sustainable development. With the continuous progress of science and technology, and the dual influence of energy-saving and environmentally friendly concepts, food labels will develop towards green and environmentally friendly directions.

　　To this end, I believe that with the continuous strengthening of consumer health and safety awareness, people will pay more attention to label information, and food processing enterprises and food packaging enterprises should grasp the development trend of food labels and attach importance to label improvement. At the same time, the packaging machinery manufacturing industry should also pay attention to the development trend of the food label industry and keep pace with the times, so as not to lose its direction of development.

(Source: China Packaging and Printing Industry Network)

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