Three Major Changes to Look Out for in 2024

The year 2024 will see major changes in food labeling, including the way ingredients are listed, the way allergies are indicated, and how expiration dates are calculated.This will help businesses quickly adapt to the new regulations and will enable consumers to easily understand the information on the labels, preventing them from making mistakes in their purchases.Keep up with the latest regulations to ensure compliance in business operations and food safety.

Why will food packaging undergo a big change in 2024?

Lately, quite a few of my friends in the food industry have been asking me, "Are we going to have to change all of our packaging next year?" Indeed, the State Administration for Market Regulation has issued a notice on the management of prepackaged food labels that will take effect on January 1, 2024.The changes are not minor, and here we will discuss the three most important aspects of the changes that will affect the daily operations of companies.

Change 1: The list of ingredients must be made clear.

The additives need to be looked at one by one.

The days of using a "composite leavening agent" to fool people are over.The new regulations require that all the specific ingredients used to make compound food additives be listed.For example, the leavening agents in a cake mix must now be specified as sodium bicarbonate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, and so on.This is especially important for people with allergies, who need no longer worry about "guessing" what they are buying.

The amount of natural coloring must also be indicated.

Don't think that you can get away with anything just by flying the "natural" flag! Even if you use a natural pigment like beta-carotene, you must clearly label the percentage if the quantity exceeds 0.1 %.Many products that claim to be healthy should be re-examined.

Change 2: Allergy warnings must be taken seriously.

New regulations require that four new allergens be labeled.

The number of allergens has been increased from the original eight to 12, and the four new allergens--sesame, celery, lupin, and mollusks--must be listed separately.Worst of all is the requirement that the labeling must be conspicuous. Either the font must be bold, or the information must be placed in a box of its own, so hiding the information in a corner of the ingredients list will no longer work.

Cross-contamination in production lines should be clearly indicated.

Many small factories that produce multiple products on the same production lines must now post a notice that the production line processes allergens.The most affected are those companies which produce OEM products. I suggest that they get their production lines in order as soon as possible.

Change 3: The way expiration dates are calculated has been changed.

Frozen foods are measured by the time they take to thaw.

In the past, the shelf life of frozen foods was calculated according to the time they were frozen. Now the law requires that the recommended time for consumption after defrosting be noted.For example, the package of a certain brand of frozen dumplings must say that they can be kept at -18 ° C for 12 months, and also that they must be eaten within 48 hours after being thawed.

They should also be instructed how long the products will remain fresh after being opened.

Don't underestimate the importance of this change! For foods that easily spoil after opening, like soy sauce and jam, the new regulations require that the shelf life after opening be indicated.I recommend that manufacturers leave a space for a reminder on the packaging, so that a good product is not complained about due to improper storage.

What should businesses be doing to prepare?

1. Take inventory of packaging materials and use up any that are produced before the end of 2023 by the end of their shelf life.

2. Contact the design company to modify the label template, paying particular attention to the allergen warning area.

Train customer service personnel to respond to customer inquiries. Many customers will ask, "Why is the packaging different from before?

4. Small-scale producers who make and sell their own products should pay special attention to the labeling of additives, and are advised to have their products inspected by a professional agency.

The current changes look troublesome, but in fact, a clear system of labeling can increase consumer confidence.If you start early enough, you might even be able to turn it into a marketing highlight!