Food labels are like the road signs of the grocery store, guiding customers through the maze of choices on the shelves. But what happens when those signs are in a language you don’t understand? Imagine walking through a supermarket aisle, scanning the shelves for the snack to satisfy your cravings. As you grab a packaged treat, you stop, squinting at the writing on the label. Suddenly, you realise the ingredients are listed in a language you don’t understand. This isn’t just a made-up scenario; it’s a real issue many consumers face in today’s globalised world.
As businesses expand into international markets, whether through traditional retail or e-commerce, the need for translated food labels and packaging becomes increasingly apparent. It’s not just about converting words; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of language or location, can make informed choices about the food they buy. Whether it’s a snack from South Africa making its way to shelves in France or Japan, there is a need for clear food labelling and packaging translation. Despite its significance, it often goes unnoticed. This article is here to provide information on the importance of food label and packaging translation, understanding food labelling, and the need for food companies to partner with professional translation companies.
Understanding food labelling
Food labelling is an important aspect of the food industry, serving as a bridge between producers and consumers. Accurate food labelling serves multiple purposes; it offers details about the product, which helps customers make informed decisions about what they want to buy. The basic features of proper food product labelling include:
- The name of the product
- The list of all the ingredients
- Nutritional information
- Allergen information
- Net weight or volume
- Manufacturer information: The name and address of the company
- Storage instructions
- Expiration date or best-before date
- Country of origin
- The amount of alcohol (if applicable)
- Certifications or seals: Any certifications or seals indicating that the product meets specific standards.
Food label and packaging translation are important for several reasons:
1. Consumer Safety:
The importance of accurate food labelling and packaging translation ensures that consumers are aware of any allergens or ingredients that may pose a risk to their health. This information helps individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies make informed choices and avoid potential health hazards.
2. Legal Compliance: Food labelling laws and regulations vary across countries, making it crucial for companies to follow packaging guidelines in each market. This respects consumers’ rights to understand ingredients in food products, regardless of language proficiency. Failure to comply can lead to fines, product recalls, or legal action.
For example, in France or Germany, it’s mandatory for all product information, including names, descriptions, user guides, and terms of service, to be in their language. Even invoices and receipts. This rule is in place to ensure consumers have all the necessary information about a product or service, protecting them and allowing them to make informed decisions.
3. Consumer Trust: Language plays a crucial role in consumer decision-making, and clear food labelling and packaging translation can build trust between consumers and brands. As people prefer to shop in their own language, consumers can easily understand product information, fostering confidence in the brand’s integrity and reliability. This trust fosters brand loyalty and encourages repeat purchases, so food companies should translate their labels and packaging into the target language.
4. Market Access: Translating packaging and food labelling allows companies to enter new markets and reach a broader customer base. By offering products with labels in multiple languages, companies can expand their reach and tap into new opportunities for growth and sales.
5. Addressing Allergen Awareness: For individuals with food allergies or intolerances, accurate food labelling and packaging translation is important as it ensures that consumers are aware of potential allergens present in the product, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
Furthermore, the importance of food label and packaging translation contributes to higher sales, solid returns on investment, and overall business success. Accurate and culturally sensitive labelling enhances brand reputation, ensures compliance with regulations, and meets global consumer needs. To ensure seamless translation, companies should hire a professional translation company, as they have legal and linguistic knowledge.
Partner with SpeakPortuguese for your translation needs in South Africa.
SpeakPortuguese specialises in providing packaging and label translation services for South African companies and build relationships with audiences. Backed up with our experienced translators, we’ve successfully translated a diverse array of food labels and packaging for South African businesses, ranging from independent food companies to large multinational companies across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. No project is too big or small for us to handle. Tight deadlines and complex projects don’t faze us; we love a challenge. We’re here to make your company succeed internationally. Are you ready to take your company to the next level? Reach out to us today for a quote and experience the peace of mind that comes from partnering with SpeakPortuguese translation services.
Email: Info@speakportuguese.co.za | Website: www.speakportuguese.co.za
