To comply with regulations set by the FDA, food and beverage companies know there are certain requirements they must include on their retail packaging.
An ingredients list, allergy information, and nutritional facts are standard. But what if producers of less-healthy products like candy or alcohol also had to include the same lengthy warning labels as cigarette and tobacco manufacturers? This could become a reality in countries like Australia that are proposing new rules for packaging of certain foods and drinks.
Advocates of healthier products are looking to introduce a new rule that requires manufacturers to include graphic warning labels on their food and beverage packaging to warn consumers about the potentially harmful effects of their products. While tobacco companies in the U.S. aren’t legally obligated to produce product packaging with frightening visuals, in Australia, this is the norm.
Countries across the globe have also enacted plain packaging laws that force companies to remove all branding from their tobacco products. What would happen if, all over the world, businesses were forced to remove the colorful packaging elements that set their brand apart from the rest? What if these well-designed logos and images were replaced with graphic photographs that serve as scare tactics, pushing customers away from the products? There is no doubt this would have dire consequences on the producers of these goods, which highlights just how important retail packaging is in telling your brand’s story and attracting customers.
Companies that want to get their products out on the retail shelves must abide by all federal laws and regulations for the safety of consumers.
No matter what new guidelines are set in terms of product packaging, choosing the right supplier and custom-printed pouches can help brands continue to resonate with customers and set themselves apart from the competition. Being as transparent as possible is key – choosing stand up pouches with a clear window, for example, gives customers a peek inside the bag so they know exactly what they’re getting. Using solid, structurally sound material for your product packaging will best attract shoppers and reassure them that the goods inside are safe and well protected.
Shoppers these days are smarter than ever, and they can easily look up more information about your company and the ingredients in your products with the tap of a finger on their smartphone screen. Product packaging has the ability to make or break your brand, and using laws and guidelines as an excuse for a poor presentation of your goods isn’t going to cut it these days. No matter what information your company is required to include on its containers, choosing strong, eco-friendly, cost-conscious product packaging can still communicate a great deal to customers about your brand and its values.
Companies that use new federal regulations to their advantage can have an edge over the competition – showing consumers you care about their safety and wellbeing can be easily accomplished by choosing the right forms of flexible retail packaging. Being conscious of other countries’ laws and regulations is important as well, and it will help brands get their products on shelves overseas. Focusing on selecting the best possible packaging for your product is the first step toward building a global brand people know and trust.
