Packaging News You Can Use

Everyone is in a tizzy over the FDA cracking down on mislabeling of product packaging. The FDA has long been the primary regulator of many types of product packaging legislation. There are extensive documents, procedures and regulations with which many manufacturers must comply.

But recent food product packaging claims have received worldwide media attention particularly from the MOM factor about the “Smart Choice Label”. Smart Choice, promised to “provide ‘at-a-glance’ information that a product met strict science-based nutrition criteria” that made it easy for a consumer to make an informed purchasing decision.

Yet when one looks at the selection of products chosen it raises serious thoughts about the real nutritional value. Smart Choices, includes major companies such as Kellogg Co., Kraft Foods Inc. and General Mills Inc., and has been criticized for handing its “Smart Choice Lable” to processed foods that are high in sugar, such as Froot Loops cereal and Cracker Jack snack food.

AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels

Is excess sugar a smart choice?

The “Smart Choices” launch included several hundred products from a variety of companies. Now most of these companies have temporarily suspended the program pending FDA clarification.

Is this label telling the truth?

You can read the FDA Guidance for Industry: Letter Regarding Point of Purchase Food Labeling @ http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/ucm187208.htm

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that it will soon begin to target any logos or labels or symbols on cereals, snacks and other food packaging which may be making false claims to mislead or confuse the consumers. So the outcome is not yet known.

But in any case before you rush your package to market be sure and check the latest labeling guidelines and the pulse of the consumer. What you say on the front of your packaging could be misconstrued and case significant packaging problems.

For more on misleading packaging claims read: Packaging You LIE.. @

http://packaginguniversity.com/blog/2009/09/25/packaging-you-lie/

Please weigh in and tell me were you mislead by the Smart Choices logo on products you bought? If you are unsure whether your packaging claims might get you in trouble that’s what I do help you separate fact from fiction on your product packaging. Visit http://packagingdiva.com and request information how I can help.

Tags: FDA, health claims, labeling of food, misleading claims, packaging, Smart Choices, trust