Food packaging today is covered in extra labels meant to help consumers make choices. The problem is that some of these have a clear legal definition, while others are essentially marketing phrasing without a solid regulatory basis.
This is a regulated label — a product declared „non-GMO" must genuinely meet the legally prescribed conditions regarding the absence of genetically modified ingredients above the permitted threshold. A manufacturer that puts this label on packaging takes on legal responsibility for the claim being accurate.
Also a regulated label, with precise threshold values for gluten content that a product must meet to carry this claim — important for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, for whom an inaccurate label can cause serious harm.
Unlike the previous two, the label „natural" generally does not have a single, strictly prescribed legal definition to the same degree as non-GMO or gluten labels, meaning its meaning in practice can vary from one manufacturer to another. This is the label consumers should interpret with the most caution, checking the rest of the label and the ingredient list if needed.
Distinguishing regulated from unregulated labels is one of the reasons expert label review before launching a product matters — and it's part of the labeling consulting that IHIS Nutricionizam provides to food producers.
