Deciding how to label your bread or other baked goods? Here is a comparison of 3 methods. While edible labels offer an eco-friendly, waste-free alternative, paper labels and paper tapes are more traditional methods. Read on for a detailed comparison of the pros and cons.
1. Edible labels
Advantages:
- Waste-free solution: Since the label is edible, it does not need to be removed before consumption and no waste is generated.
- Safety: customers do not have to worry about accidentally eating the label.
- Aesthetics: They can look attractive and integrate into the design of the bread.
Colorants: use of natural food colorants
Disadvantages:
- Certain printing limitations: colors and details may be limited depending on the edible paper printing technology.
- Durability: edible labels can be sensitive to contact with water.
2. Paper labels can be vulnerable to food hazards.
Advantages:
- Durability: They may be more resistant to the elements than edible labels.
- Printing options: more flexibility in design and colour.
Disadvantages:
- Waste: Creates waste because the label must be removed before consumption.
- Risk of confusion: There is a risk of the label being accidentally eaten by the customer.
- Colouring: use of non-edible dyes.
3. Paper tapes
Advantages:
- Visibility: the larger size makes the information on the tapes more visible and easier to read for consumers.
- More information: there is more space on the tape for detailed information such as ingredients, allergens, nutritional values or EAN code.
Disadvantages:
- Waste: After eating the bread, the tape remains as waste.
- Handling: Paper tapes can slip, shift or be removed, which can lead to misidentification of the bread or incomplete labelling.
- Application process: Applying tape may require more time and work steps than applying an edible or paper label.
- Material Consumption: Paper tapes may require more material, which can increase costs and environmental impact.
Whichever form of labeling you choose, it will help differentiate your product from others and more easily catch the customer's attention.
If you're looking for a waste-free product using natural dyes with quick and easy application options, get in touch for free edible label samples that we can give you at IBA (marked IBA Samples).
