May 30, 2023

Simplify Label Compliance with Genesis Foods

Food product labels play a crucial role in conveying vital information about your products and brand. Consumers rely on these labels to gain insights into the ingredients, nutritional value, and allergens present in your products. However, meeting the strict regulations set by governing agencies such as the FDA and USDA can be a daunting task. Every aspect of your food labels, from font sizes to nutrient calculations, must adhere to labeling regulations.

The Importance of Labeling Compliance

Regulations establish standards that ensure fair competition among food companies. By setting uniform guidelines for labeling requirements, such as font size, format, and placement of information, regulations promote consistency and prevent unfair advantages gained through misleading or ambiguous labels. This allows consumers to compare products more easily and make informed choices.

In the U.S., food product Nutrition Facts labels have been regulated since the 1990s, when the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) was put into law. The act mandated that all packaged foods must bear a standardized nutrition label, providing consumers with vital information about the contents and nutritional value of the products they purchase. Since its enactment, the NLEA has played a crucial role in empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices and promoting public health awareness.

Additionally, regulations have gotten tighter over the years. In the last few years alone, we’ve seen proposed changes to packaging claim definitions and regulations passed requiring newly managed allergens.

As a result, it has become essential for food companies to comply with label regulations for a few key reasons:

Ensuring Consumer Health and Safety

Food labeling regulations exist to protect consumers by providing them with accurate and reliable information about the food products they purchase. Labels convey crucial details about the product serving size, nutritional content, ingredients, allergens, and potential health risks associated with the product. Compliance ensures that consumers can make informed choices based on their dietary needs, allergies, or personal preferences.

Building Brand Reputation and Consumer Trust

Consumers expect labels to be accurate, so when they’re not, it can cause serious repercussions for your business. A 2023 Purdue University consumer poll found that Americans generally place their trust in certain aspects of food labels, particularly the ingredient list, expiration date, and Nutrition Facts label. Any label-related errors or noncompliance can quickly erode consumer trust, resulting in financial losses, damaged reputation, and potential long-term impacts on business sustainability. By prioritizing compliance, businesses demonstrate their commitment to transparency and build a foundation of trust with their customers.

Liability and Legal Consequences

Failure to comply with food labeling regulations can lead to legal consequences, including fines, food product recalls, and (as mentioned above) damage to a company’s reputation. Non-compliance can also result in legal action from consumers who may suffer adverse health effects due to inaccurate or misleading information. Complying with regulations mitigates the risk of legal liability and protects a company’s brand image and consumer trust.

Evolving Food Labeling Regulations and Compliance Challenges

Food labeling regulations are continuously evolving, with updates occurring multiple times each year. For example, the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2023, has the potential to significantly impact labeling regulations. If enacted, it could introduce significant changes to labeling requirements and standards for food labels. Adapting to these modifications can be complex, especially for food companies with a large product portfolio.

Streamlining Label Compliance with Genesis Foods

Fortunately, Trustwell offers a comprehensive solution to simplify label compliance updates through Genesis Foods. With our team of regulatory compliance experts and cutting-edge software, you can effortlessly stay abreast of regulatory changes. Our software integrates updates before the compliance dates, ensuring accurate calculations and adherence to evolving requirements. In addition, Trustwell provides label consulting and compliance reviews to support your business further.

Labels for Compliance and Branding

Genesis Foods provides food manufacturers with a range of Nutrition Facts Labeling formats for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and European Union. Depending on your product’s contents and packaging size, you can create customized labels. For example, for products needing specific footnotes for added sugar or “not a significant source of [nutrient]”, you can easily toggle the footnote on or off using the format options available.

Comprehensive Compliance Guardrails and Allergen Alerts

Genesis Foods incorporates built-in compliance guardrails to support your team throughout the labeling process. These guardrails include features such as Nutrient Content Claim guidance, calculations nutrition label rounding rules, and allergen alerts. By leveraging these tools, you can avoid overlooking critical compliance checks when reviewing the final product.

Marry Brand Transparency and Regulatory Compliance with Genesis Foods

Complying with food product label regulations is not only crucial for regulatory compliance but also for building strong customer relationships based on trust. Trustwell’s dedicated team of regulatory experts and developers remain up-to-date with the latest regulatory changes, ensuring your business is always prepared. With Genesis Foods as your labeling software, you can navigate label regulation updates seamlessly, relying on our comprehensive compliance checks.

Discover Genesis Foods for Effortless Label Compliance

Don’t let label regulation updates catch you off guard or overwhelm your team. Contact us today to learn more about Genesis Foods Software, our formulation and labeling solution designed to simplify compliance with food product label regulations.

Tag(s): Food Labeling , Trustwell Software