The "food labeling" refers to the information, labels, and symbols placed on food packaging, providing details about the ingredients, nutritional information, origin, processing methods, and safety aspects of the food. These labels aim to provide consumers with transparent and understandable information about the products so they can make informed purchasing decisions. They are also legally required to ensure consumer safety and prevent fraud or deception.
Typical functions of software in the "food labeling" area include:
Label design: Ability to create and customize labels for food packaging while adhering to legal requirements and guidelines.
Nutritional calculation: Calculation and declaration of nutritional information such as calories, fat content, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals based on the ingredients of the food.
Allergen labeling: Identification and highlighting of allergens such as gluten, lactose, nuts, or soy in food labels according to legal requirements.
Origin indication: Capture and display of information about the origin of the raw materials or the food itself to ensure transparency and traceability.
Expiration date management: Management of expiration dates and best before dates (BBD) of the products and automatic updating of labels accordingly.
Multilingual labeling: Support for creating food labels in different languages to meet the requirements of international markets.
Integration with production processes: Integration of labeling software with production equipment or systems for automated labeling of food packaging.
Compliance monitoring: Monitoring compliance with legal regulations and standards regarding food labeling and automatic updating of labels in case of changes.
Traceability: Ability to trace products and raw materials along the supply chain through unique labeling and barcodes.
Reporting and auditing: Generation of reports on labeling data as well as support for audits and inspections by authorities or certification bodies.