In our last blog, we covered all the new FDA nutrition labeling requirements and why they changed. We mentioned that companies making $10 million or more in annual revenue must comply with these changes by January 1st, 2020. However, if you’re a small food startup, we have good news: you have until January 2021! These new food labeling requirements provide a unique opportunity to highlight some of the best features of your products. The added time for startups allows you to strategize against the big companies so that you can use the new FDA nutrition label requirements to your advantage to market your product. In this week’s blog, HSR Associates explains how!
New FDA Nutrition Label Summary
First, let’s quickly review some of the changes to the new label. (If you want a more in-depth look, check out our last blog.) It’s important to note that some nutrients will be removed from the label and others will be added. These include:
- Nutrients added: Vitamin D, potassium, added sugars
- Nutrients removed: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calories from fat
Other changes include stylistic alterations that will draw customers’ attention to particular things, like “Calories” and “Serving Size.” With these changes, if your product features either the nutrients added or those removed, you can use these changes to your advantage.
New FDA Nutrition Label Opportunities
Let’s talk about how you can use these changes to your advantage. As we mentioned, Vitamin C and Vitamin A were removed from the label. Why? Because the FDA believes that most Americans get enough of these vitamins in their diet anyway. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean people are no longer interested in them. If your product features a lot of Vitamin C or A, you can easily appeal to those consumers who place importance on these nutrients and are now left searching for some indication that a product will provide them. If there’s a good place to add “rich in Vitamin C” to your packaging, for example, you’ll be standing out from other products that don’t call out this nutrient on their packaging.
You can also take advantage of the nutrients added. If you emphasize “high in Vitamin D” or “No Added Sugars” on your packaging, consumers will see this further reflected on the label. More and more consumers are placing importance on the impact of these nutrients in their diets. If your product is especially rich in Vitamin D or low in added sugars, this is a good opportunity to contrast it with other products.
Take Advantage with HSR Associates
These are just a couple of examples of how you can capitalize on the new FDA nutrition label to market your product more effectively. Only experienced food marketing consultants and food packaging consultants can give you ideas specific to your brand and your product. You also have to know what the competition is doing so that you can stand out. Your label and your packaging are just pieces of the bigger story that your brand should be telling through effective marketing.
The additional time that startups have to implement these FDA changes is a huge opportunity for your marketing strategy. Get a head start on the competition by hiring a consultant with a long record of success. At HSR Associates, our highly effective food product development services include:
- Creating a comprehensive marketing plan that includes market research, positioning, pricing, and much more
- Creating and producing the packaging or label
- Selecting a qualified co-packer suited for your needs and budget
- Obtaining UPC codes and administering code assignments
- Selling your product through our exclusive national network of food brokers
- Managing the introduction and sales roll-out
- Securing trade show space and helping to man the booth
- Making headquarter and customer sales calls
Working with an expert consulting team is the only way to ensure that you are doing everything possible to capture the biggest market for your product – and make sure that market keeps buying your product in the long-term. We handle the creative process as well as the countless logistical details. HSR ASSOCIATES specializes in developing new food products and bringing them to market. We provide all the services necessary, from Kitchen To Marketplace. Contact us today at steve@hsrassociates.net.
More great ideas to come from our food product development experts! Stay tuned…………..