By Natalie Walker, Product Manager, FoodChain ID
If you’re in the bustling world of food manufacturing, you are well aware that keeping up with food labeling regulations can be like trying to follow a recipe written by committee – constantly changing and more than a little confusing.
This month, I have been chatting with a few of our customers who have been wrestling with these challenges. They shared some real headaches over trying to stay compliant without slowing down their product rollout. So, I’m excited to share a cool solution we have implemented in FoodChain ID’s Recipes & Specifications solution called “Targets!”
Why Labelling Can Be a Sticky Business
From green lights to red flags, food labeling isn’t just about sticking a label on a package. It’s about giving clear, accurate and regulated information to your customers. Think of it like a nutritional traffic light system that needs to be correct all the time.
Across the EU, regulations focus on clarity and uniformity to allow consumers across member states to make informed choices about what they eat. Nutritional information is provided in a constant tabular format or a linear format – it’s a straightforward way to ensure that when you’re picking up groceries, you have all the facts at your fingertips to guide your decisions.
In the UK, a ‘Traffic Light’ system which uses colors to show if there’s high (red), medium (amber), or low (green) amounts of fats, sugars and salt – a clever way to let consumers see at a glance what they’re eating. Getting those colors right can be as tough as baking a perfect soufflé.
The U.S. have their own set of challenges with detailed regulations requiring labels to show everything from added sugars to calorie counts per serving, following the FDA’s guidelines. It’s a lot to keep track of!
Meet “Targets!” – Your Compliance Co-Pilot
So, what are “Targets!” in our Recipes & Specifications solution? Imagine having a smart assistant in your kitchen that not only keeps track of your ingredients but also tells you exactly how much salt should go into your soup to keep it heart healthy. That is “Targets!” for you.
Here is how it lends a hand:
Set Clear Goals
Just set up what you need to track – like nutrition, allergens or costs – and “Targets!” keeps an eye on them for you.
Real-time Tracking
It is like having a GPS for your compliance journey. You get real-time updates, so that you are always on the right path.
Automatic Standards Enforcement
No more guesswork. “Targets!” ensures that everything you do meets compliance standards automatically, like a good friend who has always has your back.
Putting “Targets!” to Good Use
To make life easier for our friends in the food business, we have rolled out some ready-to-use standard templates that match the usual compliance targets across multiple global regions. Plus, we have thrown in a feature that lets you export your ‘Traffic Light’ or EU / FDA-required data straight into Excel. It is like having a fast-track ticket to getting all your labeling sorted swiftly and correctly.
The Value of Using “Targets!” in our Recipes & Specifications Solution
Since we have introduced “Targets!”, the feedback has been extremely positive. Our customers are seeing the value “Targets!” can bring – fewer mix-ups, quicker product turnarounds and all with straightforward and user-friendly functionality.
This feature significantly enhances the product development process by integrating various rounding rules into nutrition calculations, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Here is how it specifically benefits distinct roles within your company:
For Specification Technologists:
- Customizable Display Options: Enables the selection of specific nutrition items to appear on packaging, ensuring that only relevant data is shown.
- Streamlined Specifications: Rounded nutrition data is automatically included in product specifications, simplifying the creation and revision of these important documents.
For Quality Managers:
- Focused Formulation Views: Provides the ability to view only the essential nutrition information during the formulation process, making it easier to make informed decisions quickly.
- Efficient Data Management: Ensures that rounded nutrition data is integrated into exports, streamlining data handling and compliance reporting, thus enhancing workflow efficiency.
Ready to Simplify Your Labelling Challenges?
If staying on top of food labelling regulations feels a bit daunting, why not give “Targets!” a try?
Click here to learn more about how FoodChain ID’s Recipes & Specifications solution helps to make your compliance tasks a piece of cake!
We are always here to chat about how we can make your food manufacturing process smoother and compliant. Let us help you keep those regulatory headaches at bay and focus on whipping up some delicious successes.
Meeting Future Needs with FoodChain ID’s Recipes & Specifications solution by Hamilton Grant. Click here to learn more.
