Trends include the need to update to new nutritional labeling guidelines, to comply with food traceability standards and to produce package labeling that prompts customer engagement. In additional, vendors see increasing demand for marketing tools such as redeemable coupons being added to food and snack packaging. “For secondary packaging, replacing the low resolution ITF-14 barcode with higher resolution GS1-128 barcodes, capable of containing more data, is a continuing trend,” says David Holliday, director of marketing communications, ProMach Labeling and Coding, Fort Worth, TX.
Direct thermal and thermal transfer seem to be the more popular methods of label printing in response to the constant changing of labeling requirements and large SKU counts in the bakery and snack industry, according to Michael Gerrity, technical sales and business development, Fortis Solutions, Virginia Beach, VA. “They are cost-effective and versatile and can complement decorative labels printed via flexography, digital, and inkjet.”
One of the most prominent trends in labeling is the need for clearer labeling that indicates sustainable options and recyclability, according to Sean Riley, senior director, media and communications for PMMI, Reston, VA, who says these advances will increase in the next five years alongside ingredient modifications and a trend towards healthier processed foods.
