Dive Brief:
- Hormel Foods said Tuesday it would implement a clean label initiative across the company.
- It's working on cleaning up ingredients in Hormel chili, Dinty Moore stew, and SPAM products.
- Further information regarding the intiative will come with Hormel's corporate responsibility report this June.
Dive Insight:
Hormel's announcement is relatively late, considering the slew of CPG companies that have announced clean label initiatives. That said, it is a welcome move for consumers — at least those that understand what clean label means. According to a Canadean survey, more than one-third (34%) of consumers around the world don't know the definition of the term.
Clean label is not a new arena for the company. Its Valley Fresh products, Hormel Compleats microwaveable meals, and Hormel Always Tender meats already received the simplified treatment.
The company pointed out the clean label plans continue its sodium reduction efforts, by limiting sodium in certain branded retail products by a 15% average. In this respect, companies like Hormel are ahead of the game. The U.S. government could release voluntary targets for salt reduction in processed foods soon.