Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Study reveals 'dangers' in presenting clean label products

With no uniform definition of clean labelling across the industry, retailers are urged to strike a balance between providing detailed nutritional information and ensuring that labels remain clear and easy-to-understand.

default nutrition label
April 11, 2018

Grocery retailers are being urged to re-think how they present clean label products, after a report warned that they are in danger of misleading customers.

The report, “The Clean Label Phenomenon for Food Retailers: Enhancing Transparency for Consumers,” sponsored by Food Marking Institute (FMI), Arlington, Va., and Solutions for Retail Brands, Inc. (S4RB), Fort Worth, Texas, and written by Kieran Forsey, co-founder and CEO of S4RB, says the clean labelling phenomenon has become a “moving target” for retailers as consumer demand for transparency soars.

With no uniform definition of clean labelling across the industry, retailers are urged to strike a balance between providing detailed nutritional information and ensuring that labels remain clear and easy-to-understand.

“Driven by the powerful Millennial market, we are seeing unprecedented demand for products that contain fewer but more recognizable ingredients,” says Forsey. “As the ‘free from’ lists continue to grow, people are increasingly turning away from anything with artificial preservatives, GMOs and ‘chemicals’ they don’t trust. Instead they are looking for authenticity, transparency and integrity throughout the supply chain.

“Our findings indicate that many national and private brands are now actively developing products that meet this initial demand, but all brands need to recognize this is only the start of the journey toward greater transparency—we’ve identified 10 steps to help them on this journey.

“These include listening more deeply to customer feedback and collating consumer insights, whether from online reviews, call center feedback or product testing, as well as encouraging greater supplier engagement to maintain best practice. These measures will ensure innovative, high-quality goods continue to be produced.

“Above all, it’s about communicating positive product attributes, like organic or GMO-free, and the real stories behind the products to drive sales and confidence without bombarding people with too much information.”

This article was originally posted on www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com.
KEYWORDS: Food Marketing Institute food safety solutions private label private label trends Solutions for Retail Brands transparency

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Testing & Analysis
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Training
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

carton of dozen brown eggs

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Ends With One Dead, 38 Hospitalized

close-up shot of nickel metal

New EU Maximum Levels for Nickel Now Apply to Dozens of Foods

Events

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • Kerry Invests in Clean Label Food Protection with Two Acquisitions

    See More
  • default-produce-image.jpg

    Study reveals significant shelf-life variability in produce among leading grocery stores

    See More
  • default-seafood.jpg

    Study reveals growth in ASC-certified foods

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

  • 1119237963.jpg

    Food Safety in China: Science, Technology, Management and Regulation

  • 9781498721776.jpg

    Handbook of Food Processing: Food Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing Processes

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing