Food labels provide consumers with the information they need to be able to make their purchasing decisions. For manufacturers, on the other hand, they are an increasing burden. Modern Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software allows labels to be created digitally and automatically, thus minimizing effort at the same time as increasing transparency, avoiding errors and saving costs.

Are the biscuits gluten-free, the fruit gums vegan and is the snack free from colourings, flavours and preservatives with E-numbers? Where do the products come from, and which packaging promises a healthier product? Such questions about products, their packaging and ingredients consumers face every day when shopping. Answers can be found on the labels of the products offered. Here is all the information on the ingredients and the origin of a product.

However, what is a significant relief for the customer when making a purchase decision represents a lot of work for the manufacturer, because the correct recording and processing of all product-relevant information takes a lot of time – unless one relies on the digitization of labels with the help of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).

Among the numerous challenges that manufacturers now face is the desire to offer product variants that take all conceivable individual preferences into account – and this has led to rapid product diversification. However, this diversity creates complexity, not just internally, but also with a view to the entire supply chain. It is increasingly the case that raw material suppliers have to be brought into line with the current demand for absolute transparency. Overseeing the entire process, intervening if necessary and being able to make the correct claims on the final product is extremely labour-intensive as well as nigh on impossible to master without digital solutions.

Time is another decisive factor because anyone who wants to be considered innovative these days must be able to bring new products to market quickly. Product life cycles have
become ever shorter over the years, and efficient, error-free production is an absolute must for any company who wants to remain competitive. Those who network their internal
departments in the best possible way and rely on uniform digital PLM solutions as an integral part of their product development cycle save valuable time and avoid errors that could otherwise be reflected in food labelling at the end of the process. Anyone who has ever experienced a product recall due to incorrect information on a label knows how costly such errors are – not to mention the damage to image and reputation.

There is no question that the regulatory environment is placing ever-higher demands on food manufacturers. The latest European law on food information to consumers, which
came into force in 2014, stipulates that when purchasing food and beverages, consumers should have access to all relevant product information with the aid of labels. These labelling requirements apply to the whole of Europe. This is a real boon for shoppers, but for manufacturers it is a challenge that has been made even greater by new regulations regarding the labelling of allergens. Instead of voluntarily providing information in a separate box about a product’s possible allergy-causing ingredients, as had hitherto been the case, this information is now obligatory.

There are also uniform design regulations to consider. Bold, italic or underlined: a total of 14 allergens should be directly recognisable on the label. Other key changes include mandatory information on the origin of refined oils and fats. Consumers must also be able to clearly identify genetically
modified ingredients and (artificial) substitutes.

Manual, non-automated labelling processes would be especially ruinous for larger manufacturers. However, a company of any size that relies on a PLM system can implement the EU requirements simply, digitally and effectively. An efficient PLM system also reduces the risk of possible fines or even charges for non-compliance with the law.

Checking products in connection with regulatory requirements in order to be able to make 100 percent accurate claims for the finished item requires company-wide cross-functional cooperation between all teams. Food technologists, marketing experts and designers must all have easy access to product-related information and must be able to share it with each other. PLM solutions such as those offered by the Swiss-based company SpecPage are a suitable way of helping them do this. Any updates are timely and dynamic.

From the raw ingredients to the finished product, the PLM system compiles a report with reliable information that takes into account not only the ingredients used but also their origin. In addition, it considers geographical characteristics and manages different languages. Thus, the PLM system ensures that all of the necessary information is processed when labels are digitized, ready for use on pack.

As a special function, PLM systems ensure that the legal requirements for ingredients and nutrition tables are always properly adapted for which-ever market a product will be avail-able in. The software takes into account the international regulations for all countries that will receive the product and prints out the labels in the required languages. Thus, the digitization of labels helps to avoid costly mistakes while also maximising consumer confidence in a company’s products.

A good PLM system has a central management system for all legal requirements and always provides the latest information for all products. Thus, it serves as a single database for formulas, ingredient lists, raw materials and regulatory requirements. Many food and beverage manufacturers are already using such a system effectively to standardise their processes and modernise label validation, approval and digitization.

Based on user-defined workflows, manufacturers have the option to continue using designs even when making adjustments without having to redesign the packaging once. Smaller changes can be easily inserted here. This offers considerable competitive advantages: summary of technical and marketing data, shortened product introduction, time and cost savings, and uniform product information for the consumer in the entire parts list.