Packaging Strategies and Flexible Packaging editorial director Kristin Joker and PMMI’s Jorge Izquierdo discuss why the FDA is pushing for clearer food labels. Part 2 of 6
Americans throw out about $161 billion worth of food each year, and consumer uncertainty about the meaning of the dates that appear on the labels of packaged foods is believed to contribute to about 20 percent of food waste in the home.(1) To dispel this confusion and reduce food waste, the FDA is pushing for clearer food labels.
Food companies can more effectively communicate a product’s freshness with smart packaging labels that do not rely on specific dates. By using smart labels and track-and-trace technologies, food companies can ensure products have been handled properly throughout the supply chain and are safe for the consumer to eat.