Food Information to be provided in a simpler and easier way with ‘e-label’

[Smart City Today]

Six Korean food companies, including Ottogi, Nongshim, Maeil Dairy, Sempio Food, Pulmuone Green Juice, and Pulmuone Food, are running a pilot project to simplify food labeling using ‘e-label’. The e-label pilot project was promoted to increase consumer convenience and readability of product indications.

The e-label contains useful food information that could not be provided due to the narrow information display space on products. The essential information for consumer safety and food selection (product name, content(calorie), business name, expiration date, storage method, precautions, sodium content) is indicated directly on the product as before, and the rest information (original material name, nutritional content, business location, item report number, etc.) is provided through QR code.

Consumers can easily check more information on their smartphones through a QR code.

The size of the letters and reviews of the essential information on the food product has been also enlarged to make it easier for consumers to read.

Ottogi has selected items with a narrow information display space and provided e-labels on a trial basis. It has been applied to the ‘Yukgaejang Cup Ramen’(20% increase) since December last year. It was recently introduced into ‘Simple Soybean Paste Soup with Dried Radish Leaves’ and will be applied to ‘Simple Miso soup’ sequentially in February.

An official from Ottogi Co., Ltd. Said, “This e-label pilot project is meaningful in that only essential information is indicated on the product, and other information is provided through e-labels so that consumers can conveniently check the information they want depending on their purpose.” In addition, he said, "In particular, it will help eco-friendly management as it has the effect of reducing the cost of replacing packaging due to changes in the information on products."