It should be the consumers' right to know exactly what they're purchasing off of the shelves at a store, but where do we draw the line or should we at all? That's certainly something to consider right now considering the number of recent initiatives to add information to a package's label.
Just in the past few months, there have been movements to label foods that have been genetically modified, meats that have been slaughtered by traditional religious methods and colas that use a potentially harmful chemical to give the drinks their caramel coloring.
Those aren't the only labeling trends that have been visited due to claims that products aren't showing consumers important information. Last month, General Motors announced that it would be using a green labeling system on its cars, starting with the 2012 Chevy Sonic.
The Ecologic labels will present car shoppers with information regarding the environmental impact of each vehicle, so they can make an eco-conscious decision about the automobile they purchase. According to GreenBiz.com, these labels are the first voluntary and third-party certified stickers of their kind for cars.
While ecolabels are great for cars, it's impossible to fit all of this information on a package for something as small as a Twinkie. But, there are other innovative ways that companies can offer all the facts about their products.
Most smartphones are capable of using their cameras to scan QR barcodes, and since a significant number of consumers have these advanced mobile devices, perhaps, this could be the solution to the problem. With a quick scan of a package's label, prospective shoppers can be linked to a list of important information about the product.
GHS and Regulatory Labeling Challenges in the New Era 
