There are a host of methods food packaging companies use to attract grocery shoppers. One of the most effective tools in food advertising is color. Even if a shopper can’t see what’s inside a package before they open it, eye-catching colors will make a product appealing. Research shows that colorful packaging triggers appetite and affects how consumers choose food. The right color can tempt a person to purchase something, even if the item wasn’t on their shopping list.
It’s Pretty But Is It Safe?
Advertising and marketing agencies use a variety of inks to design packaging, but not all inks are the right choice for every type of food package. An ink that might be safe to use on a box of cookies may be hazardous to use on a package of meat. As such, companies that market anything eatable should look for food-safe coloring for their packaging.
An Ink of Another Color
In response to calls from health officials and customers, many companies that manufacture inks and dyes now provide safer products. Linseed and soybean oil are two of the more popular ingredients in vegetable-based inks. These eco-friendly dyes produce vivid colors that allow for enhancive packaging without damaging the environment with toxic substances found in traditional colorings.
Government-Mandated Package Coloring
Changing the way it colors food packaging may ensure that a company complies with federal regulations. A 1950s ruling by the FDA says any color additive must comply with certain safety standards for use. Since the 1970s, packaging companies have used protective barriers or inside packaging to ensure that inks in labels do not migrate to foods. Plastic films and interior packaging, along with the latest in food-safe coloring for packaging, makes it easier than ever to comply with FDA rules regarding color additives.