As consumers look for products that help boost the immune system during Covid 19, have you looked at how your product portfolio stacks up?
Do you have an a set of health focused food values to underpin and guide your product portfolio?
Food Values
- The company’s principles, beliefs and philosophies on food and the food supply chain.
- The choices you make about your products and packages and an integral part of your brand and what you stand for.
A cohesive and clearly articulated set of values:
- Increases the power of your brand
- Provide guard rails to product developers
- Provide guidelines for raw material sourcing.
As a food manufacturer you impact peoples lives, peoples health and the planet, have you done a deep dive in each of these areas as part of your value proposition.
Watch my 3-minute video and learn more about the power of food values and download my free Food Values questionnaire to help you explore your value proposition and what you stand for.
Read on to learn more.
You will face many tough questions as you establish your food values. Below are some areas to explore as you carry out this exercise.
- Does your company have a position on health?
- Are there any health concerns associated with your products or packages?
- Are your products gut healthy?
- Do you have a position on pesticides, GMO’s, allergens?
- Do you have a position on fortification of products with micronutrients?
- Are your products clean label?
- Are your products minimally processed?
- What is your position on honesty in labelling and advertising?
- Do you have a position on producing products for consumers who wish to eat according a set of rules or criteria
- Have you specified your position on Ingredients e.g.
Additives e.g.
- Are you knowledgeable on natural and artificial additives?
- Have you made an informed decision about the additives being used in your product portfolio?
- Do you allow the use of artificial ingredients/additives?
- Do you allow/use natural or artificial colours in your products?
- Do you allow the use of artificial flavor enhancers?
Sweeteners e.g.
- Are you knowledgeable on the different types of sweeteners and their health implications?
- Have you made an informed decision about the sweeteners being used in your product portfolio?
- Do you have maximum sweetener limits for your products?
Fats & Oils e.g.
There are several things to consider when choosing good fats e.g. the type of fat (saturated/unsaturated), the fatty acid chain length, how it was processed, the omega 3:6 ratio & the smoke point.
- Are you knowledgeable on the different types of fats/oils and their health implications.
- Have you made an informed decision about the fats/oils being used in your product portfolio?
- Do you heat the fats/oils in your manufacturing process? If yes do you factor for the smoke point of the oils/fats that you use?
- Are the fats/oils used in your products prone to oxidation?
- Do the fats/oils used in your products come from sustainable sources?
Salt e.g.
- What type of salt do you use/allow in your products?
- Do you have a maximum salt limit for your products?
Ethical Standards
Food ethics lie at the heart of food values. There are many ethical issues facing the food industry. To truly establish food values your company needs a position on social responsibility and ethical standards. Some areas to explore:
- Food safety i.e. are you certified to a globally recognized food safety standard?
- Fair trade
- Fair labour
- Animal welfare
- Environment & sustainability
- Sourcing e.g. local, regional or global
- Business practices
- Competitiveness and pricing
- Employee standards e.g. code of conduct, safety, diversity & inclusion
Packaging
Your package gives voice to your product. Have you articulated your packaging interaction standards.
Download my free Food Values Questionnaire to help you explore your value proposition and what you stand for.
