03.17.15
March is National Nutrition Month, and it comes right on the heels of American Heart Month in February, so it's fair to say that at this time of year, consumers will be more reliant on food labels than ever to help them make optimal choices. With this in mind, companies in the food and beverage industry should work to make life easier for shoppers by offering insight into the nutritional aspects of their products.
"People always appreciate labels that are clear and informative, but this is particularly the case during periods when they're feeling especially gung-ho about making healthy choices," says Scott Proctor, vice president of sales at Lightning Labels, an all-digital label printer in Denver, CO, USA. "The cause of this enthusiasm can run the gamut from personal motivators – a chat with one's doctor about lowering cholesterol or losing weight, for instance – to more widespread initiatives, such as campaigns like National Nutrition Month."
When browsing the aisles, consumers' attention spans are short, so nutrition labels need to be eye-catching and easy to read. If the designs printed on packaging are lackluster, the text on stickers and labels is illegible or there's another issue that makes a product pale in comparison to the items next to it on the shelf, sales are sure to suffer as a result. "Especially at this time of year, it's critical to prominently display nutritional information in a clear font that's large enough for shoppers to read while also standing out against the background of the label," Proctor says. "Failure to do so could cost companies dearly – not necessarily because their products don't have nutritional value, but because the items' ingredients, calorie content and other pertinent details aren't legible. Working with Lightning Labels will ensure that food manufacturers steer clear of these kinds of issues.
"Thanks to our digital printing press, food manufacturers never have to worry about their product labels falling short of the mark," adds Proctor. "Our vibrant, crisp custom labels and stickers will set food items apart from the rest."
There are many different ways in which a food item can have nutritional value, so it could be argued that most products have something to offer consumers eager to make smart choices – companies just need to make sure their custom labels properly advertise this. Even chocolate, the quintessential guilty pleasure, has been touted for its positive effects on the brain and heart, among other benefits.
"Companies in the food and beverage industry would do well to hone in on the nutritional value of their products and prominently promote these on the custom labels they produce through Lightning Labels – not just during National Nutrition Month, but at any time of year. After all, healthy eating isn't just confined to March," Proctor says.
"People always appreciate labels that are clear and informative, but this is particularly the case during periods when they're feeling especially gung-ho about making healthy choices," says Scott Proctor, vice president of sales at Lightning Labels, an all-digital label printer in Denver, CO, USA. "The cause of this enthusiasm can run the gamut from personal motivators – a chat with one's doctor about lowering cholesterol or losing weight, for instance – to more widespread initiatives, such as campaigns like National Nutrition Month."
When browsing the aisles, consumers' attention spans are short, so nutrition labels need to be eye-catching and easy to read. If the designs printed on packaging are lackluster, the text on stickers and labels is illegible or there's another issue that makes a product pale in comparison to the items next to it on the shelf, sales are sure to suffer as a result. "Especially at this time of year, it's critical to prominently display nutritional information in a clear font that's large enough for shoppers to read while also standing out against the background of the label," Proctor says. "Failure to do so could cost companies dearly – not necessarily because their products don't have nutritional value, but because the items' ingredients, calorie content and other pertinent details aren't legible. Working with Lightning Labels will ensure that food manufacturers steer clear of these kinds of issues.
"Thanks to our digital printing press, food manufacturers never have to worry about their product labels falling short of the mark," adds Proctor. "Our vibrant, crisp custom labels and stickers will set food items apart from the rest."
There are many different ways in which a food item can have nutritional value, so it could be argued that most products have something to offer consumers eager to make smart choices – companies just need to make sure their custom labels properly advertise this. Even chocolate, the quintessential guilty pleasure, has been touted for its positive effects on the brain and heart, among other benefits.
"Companies in the food and beverage industry would do well to hone in on the nutritional value of their products and prominently promote these on the custom labels they produce through Lightning Labels – not just during National Nutrition Month, but at any time of year. After all, healthy eating isn't just confined to March," Proctor says.