The Food and Drug Administration recently determined trans fats are no longer considered “safe” and will be phased out of foods by 2018.
Uncommon in nature, these processed fats are regularly seen in snack foods and prepackaged baked goods. This ban will have a dramatic effect on the food industry, as manufacturers must look for alternatives to give their goods a rich texture and longer shelf life.
Research has extensively shown the negative health consequences of consuming these fatty acids, which are linked to an increase in “bad” cholesterol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this increases the risk of coronary heart disease – the leading cause of death in the United States.
The FDA’s three-year time limit on the removal of trans fats is now in effect, forcing many suppliers to refresh their food recipes. The CDC recommends reformulating products by replacing trans fats with mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Companies creating products like popcorn, baking mixes, cookies and other snacks must overhaul their goods to comply with these new federal standards.
Removing trans fats can be a great opportunity for companies to refresh their food packaging to communicate improved health benefits of their products.
Your health food packaging should serve as a billboard evoking to consumers the quality of your superior goods.
Switching to kraft stand up pouches is one way to elicit a more natural look and feel about your food through its packaging. These bags are often used to hold freshly grown foods at farmers markets, and they’re a great way to keep customers loyal to your brand during the refresh of your product’s recipe.
Kraft stand up pouches feature an appealing, natural-looking paper exterior, but what makes them more desirable than traditional brown paper bags is their strong internal barriers and resealable tops. Trans fats won’t be necessary to improve the shelf life of your product, as this type of food packaging will help keep goods fresh for longer than a flimsy cardboard box or plastic bag.
The trans fats ban shouldn’t worry food manufacturers – it should be viewed as a step in the right direction for the health of consumers and a great opportunity to address this major public health concern. Customers like to purchase products from companies they can truly connect with. Shoppers will be thankful they can find natural-looking kraft stand up pouches containing new-and-improved healthy products outside of pricey natural food stores and fresh markets.
Manufacturers of generic foods, especially, will be at a great advantage by removing trans fats and conveying the healthful benefits of their goods through their food packaging. These low-cost alternatives don’t exactly have a reputation for being the most wholesome, but by clearly communicating a more nourishing switch in ingredients, consumers will feel good about buying these inexpensive snacks. As you overhaul your food products to comply with the FDA’s new standards, consider switching to tour new highly sought after kraft stand up pouches. It’s the perfect way to communicate the health benefits and great taste of your packaged snack foods and mixes.