Consumers increasingly desire meat and other food products devoid of additives and preservatives such as nitrates, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, and potassium sorbate. However, the absence of these ingredients may lead to faster spoilage and increased food waste, according to Iowa professors. MacDonald pointed out that some preservatives occur naturally; for instance, products labeled as “naturally cured” or “uncured” may contain celery juice, a natural source of nitrates. Nonetheless, she cautioned that the natural amounts may not offer the same protection against foodborne illnesses as their synthetic counterparts.
Additionally, label-conscious consumers should be wary of the phrase “no high fructose corn syrup,” as it does not guarantee a product is sugar-free. Food manufacturers might replace it with other sweeteners like tapioca syrup, derived from imported cassava, which can drive up costs. “There is no evidence that high fructose corn syrup is harmful or less natural,” MacDonald stated. “The food industry is introducing various alternative sweeteners—such as beet syrup, fruit sugars, and agave syrup—but at the end of the day, they are all types of sugar. The names simply sound more appealing on the label.”
According to recent data from Label Insight, 67% of consumers find it difficult to determine if a product meets their needs just by examining the packaging, and nearly half claim they feel uninformed after reading a product label. As transparency grows in importance, consumers increasingly favor brands that genuinely uphold clean labeling practices.
Roger Clemens, associate director of the regulatory sciences program at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, discussed with Food Dive earlier this year some of the challenges companies face in responding to American consumers’ demands for clearer labels. “The U.S. population wants it both ways,” he noted. “They seek products that are understandable, affordable, nutritious, beneficial, and safe. They desire it all. It’s intriguing that they embrace technology in every aspect of life except for food. To me, that’s somewhat contradictory.”
Meat producers are particularly attuned to these consumer trends and are striving to offer products with the cleanest labels possible, according to Meatingplace. Increasingly, labels are displaying claims like “hormone-free” and “antibiotic-free.” However, meat producers must balance the potential financial gains of these claims with the costs associated with achieving them. This might involve changes in farming practices, the land required for livestock grazing, and other operations, making such meat more expensive for processors and their buyers.
While the food industry is certainly adapting to consumer preferences for cleaner labeling and greater transparency, the costs extend beyond farmers and manufacturers to consumers as well. These costs may manifest not only at the checkout but also in terms of food safety risks. For those looking for convenient options, purchasing ccm tablets online can be an alternative, but consumers should remain vigilant about the ingredients in all food products they opt for.