Clean label is no longer a trend - it is the rule

At the IFT15 Expo in Chicago, Innova Market Insights said it best, clean label is no longer a trend—it’s the rule.

Currently, 62% of consumers seek foods that are minimally processed and 53% prefer foods and beverages that contain a short list of ingredients (Source:The “Simple” Trend in Food Ingredients). With a high consumer demand for cleaner labels, the food industry is left to respond with product reformulations, new product developments and new communication strategies to keep up with the marketplace.

From natural and organic to no artificial additives and no partially hydrogenated oils, food ingredient companies on the IFT15 expo floor were marketing solutions to help food manufacturers “follow the rule” and clean up the labels on its products. Companies like Naturex and Kalsec used simple statements on their booths—“From Nature to You” and “Cleaner Labels. Clear.”—to grab the attention of and engage food manufacturers who were in attendance at the show.
 

Land O’Lakes Ingredients was another company that showcased how its ingredients provided a solution and opportunity for product developers to clean up their labels. At IFT15, Land O’Lakes Ingredients launched a new cheese powder, 3-Pepper CheddarChromaTM. At the booth, Land O’Lakes Ingredients used a display card next to the application sample to highlight how 3-Pepper CheddarChroma cheese powder contains no artificial flavoring, no FD&C colors and no added MSG—giving snack food manufacturers a quick snapshot of how Land O’Lakes Ingredients can help them clean up the labels on new product developments and reformulations.

With a consumer demand that shows no signs of going away, the food industry will have to continue to work together to overcome the challenges, and evolve and adapt to the rule—because let’s be honest—being a “rule breaker” in this industry won’t always lead to success in the marketplace.