FAQ: Clean Labeling

As the industry continues to move to a place where transparency is key and consumers want to easily see the ingredients, clean labels are still taking hold. Here are some of the most common questions regarding clean labels:

What claims define a clean label?

Depending on the manufacturer or the country you’re in, clean labels could mean any combination of claims. A few of the most common ones include:

• All-natural
• Minimal ingredients
• Minimally processed
• No artificial ingredients
• No preservatives
• Non-GMO
• Organic
• Recognizable ingredients

What are the top targeted ingredients to remove for a clean label?

As consumers favor simple items with easy-to-understand ingredient lists, some of the biggest ingredients being removed for clean labels include artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Some of the biggest retailers have their own lists of ingredients they do not consider clean. See Whole Foods, Kroger and H-E-B’s lists.

What about the taste?

The challenge for manufacturers when reformulating their food for clean labels is that consumers are still going to expect a similar taste to what they’re used to. It’s a delicate balance between healthy ingredients that consumers say they are looking for with food that still tastes good. Most manufacturers have figured out the correct balance, but it continues to be a learning process.

For more info on Clean Labeling, read:

Clean Labels and What to Look For

Clean vs Clear Labels