As the industry transitions to a time when information is paramount and consumers scrutinize the labels on their food, it only makes sense that clean label trends are taking hold. This month, we spotlight clean labels — the movement toward fewer, more easily understood ingredients on food packages.
We examine how large CPG companies have worked toward making the switch to cleaner labels. We asked those involved in product reformulations about the challenges manufacturers face. We look at some of the perils and victories of previous reformulations. And we talked to experts about ingredients commonly targeted in a clean label reformulation.
We hope you enjoy our look at the industry's efforts to clean up.
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Food makers bulk up on simple ingredients as consumers embrace clean labels
General Mills, Hershey, Campbell Soup and Nestle are among the companies replacing artificial colors and flavors with natural ones and using a smaller roster of components. Read More >>
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Lucky 7: The food industry's top targets for squeaky clean labels
As consumers favor simple items with easy-to-understand ingredient lists, artificial colors, HFCS, trans fats and gluten have been among what's phased out by manufacturers. Read More >>
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Cleanliness conundrums: The challenges in clean label reformulations
The ingredients list may be more consumer-friendly, but experts say the product might not look, taste or behave the way shoppers expect. Read More >>
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Victory and defeat: How food companies have succeeded and failed in reformulation efforts
Cleaning up the label on a known and loved product is always a risk, as these examples demonstrate. Read More >>
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Study shows why the clean label trend is worth pursuing
Co-branding between processed foods and name-brand "healthy" ingredients may create new and lucrative opportunities. Read More >>
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Clean label trend goes bananas with new fruit-based flour
NuBana, a powder with a beige color and neutral flavor, can replace wheat or rice flour, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, sugar and corn starch. Read More >>
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Target more than doubles its organic offerings and cleans up labels and packaging
"We hope to be a catalyst for change across the industry,” said Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Jennifer Silberman. Read More >>