From:Packaging Europe News

This December the Food Information Regulation (FIR) comes into effect, changing the way in which food providers must label their products. With this mind leading eco packaging and labelling experts - Planglow - have created a brand new Gastro Nutri Label, as well as revising the designs of a further six pre-existing label designs, to accommodate all of the information some providers will now need to give.

The new legislation predominantly governs the presentation of allergen information and by law all food providers will need to make their customers aware of the presence of 14 potential allergens* within each and every one of their products. If the provider buys-in products (i.e. they are not made fresh on site) they are considered to be a ‘Full Labeller’. This means a considerable amount of additional information must be displayed on-pack - including full ingredients,a nutritional box and voluntary front of pack reference intake - which most standard labels are not big enough to house – especially at the legal minimum font size of 6points.  

Rachael Sawtell, marketing director for Planglow commented, “We offer dozens of sheet and roll labels in a huge variety of designs and sizes - including labels that match our four branded collections of eco packaging. Due to changes in the law however, even the largest of our labels do not have the space Full Labellers require. So we have developed seven labels for our customers to ensure we continue to offer the best possible labelling solutions for everyone”.

So What’s New?
Planglow has introduced a brand new six per sheet Gastro Nutri Label to its popular Gastro range. Gastro now includes twenty deli-style items of packaging, labelling and ticketing. The chalk on slate design is one of Planglow’s best sellers due to its value adding effect and premium finish.

What’s Changing?
Sheet Labels: Planglow has increased the sizes and adapted the shapes of its Rosso, Ecoco, and Baker’s Choice Large Sheet Labels to become Rosso, Ecoco and Baker’s Choice Nutri Labels.

Roll Labels: Planglow has enlarged its Gastro, Ecoco and Baker’s Choice Roll Labels to become Gastro, Ecoco and Baker’s Choice Nutri Roll Labels. The roll labels are ideal for providers with a larger output of stock.

Rachael Sawtell added, “We updated our LabelLogic and NutriLogic programs earlier this year in advance of the new legislation, so the revised software is fully FIR compliant. New functions added include AutoAllergen - this automatically bolds allergens within the ingredients list without the need to retype your product information. It is entirely unique to Planglow and this saves our customers hours of painstaking data entry. LabelLogic now also boasts an FIR compliant nutritional box and a quick-tick-box that supports reduced labellers in highlighting allergens at the click of their mouse.

“We wanted to ensure that our labels and software continued to provide the best labelling solutions for everyone.  As well as making for a smooth transition through what may otherwise be a legislative nightmare. If anyone is concerned about the legalities of their labelling we would recommend that they give our customer service team or their local account manager a call. We have produced a guide to FIR which can be found on our website here.”    

All seven Nutri Labels are available now, the old style Large Labels are also available while stocks last – please call Planglow’s customer support team on 0117 317 8600 for more information on these products, our LabelLogic and NutriLogic software, or with any queries relating to the Food Information Regulation.