Icons or symbols have become vital components of labeling, particularly when they pertain to health claims, and they are currently becoming the focus of a great deal of debate, as well as activity, that may well lead to some important changes.

Several months ago, two Canadian agencies-Health Canada and Environment Canada-published a draft risk assessment for bisphenol-A (BPA). It declared that the substance is “toxic” within the meaning of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

The alcoholic beverage business is extremely competitive, as well as global. Manufacturers represent large international companies. The distributors, in many cases, are national in scope and size, too.

It’s nearly impossible to attach a universal meaning to any single word or phrase because words mean different things on different labels and to different people. This is a time of opportunity, though, to capture shoppers’ attention and trust, as more of them are trying to spend less and have more meals at home. 

If you’re a manufacturer and you bring a product to a retail buyer in an oversized package that doesn’t fit the shelf, well…expect grief. In an era based on category management discipline, retailers are no longer so tolerant of odd sizes that can’t be easily put on the shelf.

All manufacturing facilities should be kept clean at all times for best operation. Food and beverage plants must go further. Cleanliness is not just nice to have. It can literally be a matter of life and death for both customer and company.

Nationalism (a.k.a. protectionism) is threatening our global economy! Or so the general media would have us believe.

When CNN's Lou Dobbs rails against an issue, he gets a lot of attention. But awareness alone isn't enough to solve our problems. We need action.

My June column discussed Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and its importance. This month I want to address one of major causes of low OEE.

For retail buyers and category managers, the packaging of a new product is one of many factors that have to be considered, but one that has special meaning: It’s the attribute that projects the product’s message. And if it doesn’t do that effectively, the product probably won’t fly.