When you look at a piece of fruit in the supermarket, you probably don’t pay attention to the little sticker attached to it. However, that little detail is very important for the food industry.
From traceability to inventory management and regulatory compliance, adhesive labels for fruit have a role that goes far beyond what it seems.
At Adhesivas Ibi, we manufacture adhesive labels for food, and as experts in the subject, we want to talk to you about this labeling, the different types that exist, their benefits and the most recent innovations in this field.
Why are fruit stickers essential?
The food industry is characterized by being highly competitive and regulated. In this context, adhesive labels for fruit serve the purpose of identification, and are necessary to ensure traceability, regulatory compliance and logistical efficiency.
Identification and traceability of agricultural products
These labels allow distributors to trace each piece of fruit from its origin until it reaches the final consumer. This process is necessary to comply with health and food safety regulations.
The labels include a barcode or batch number that makes it easier to track the item throughout the supply chain.
Also, the European Ecolabel (or eco-label) is used on agricultural products to indicate that sustainable and environmentally friendly practices have been followed.
Compliance with international and local regulations
In many countries, there are strict laws requiring that fruits carry specific information about their origin, type of cultivation and other relevant details.
The eco-label on food, for example, certifies that products meet ecological standards, which makes it easier to market them in international markets that value sustainability.
Likewise, companies that export fruits to the European Union must comply with the EU eco-label, which certifies that the product has been grown sustainably, without harming the environment.
Facilitates inventory and logistics management
Another important aspect of adhesive labels is that they facilitate inventory and logistics management. By using barcodes or RFID technology, companies efficiently manage their stocks. This is very relevant in the fruit sector, where food has a limited shelf life. Correct identification enables companies to keep precise control over which batches are close to expiry or need to be shipped before others.
The market offers a wide variety of adhesive labels for fruit that meet different needs.
Below, we explain the most commonly used types.
Paper labels, use and applications
Paper labels are one of the most traditional and economical options available. Their ease of production and low cost make them ideal for fast-consumption fruits.
They are used to mark fruits such as apples, pears or citrus fruits, which do not require long storage times.
At the application level, they include information such as the country of origin, type of crop, variety of fruit and in some cases, small QR codes that consumers can scan to obtain more information.
However, due to their materials, these adhesives are more vulnerable to deterioration when exposed to humidity or low temperatures, so they are used on items intended for local sales or fast turnover in supermarkets.
Plastic labels, durability and resistance
Plastic labels are very resistant to storage and transport conditions. They are suitable for fruits that must withstand long journeys or be stored in humid or refrigerated environments, as is the case with tropical fruits (avocados, pineapples, bananas).
Resistance to water and temperature changes is one of their main advantages. Unlike paper labels, plastic labels do not disintegrate easily.
As for their environmental impact, many of them are harmful to the environment. Despite this, some companies are beginning to manufacture recycled plastic labels with a much lower ecological impact.
Biodegradable and sustainable label options
Biodegradable labels are made from materials designed to break down naturally, such as PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from corn starch, or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), which dissolves easily in water.
These substances are used instead of conventional plastics to reduce environmental impact, and they meet certification standards such as EN 13432 certification, which guarantees that the material degrades under industrial composting conditions in less than 90 days.
As for adhesives, water-based versions or biodegradable polymers are used, designed to maintain adhesion under refrigeration or humidity conditions. In turn, the inks used for printing are usually vegetable or soy-based inks, which do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Benefits of using adhesive labels in the fruit sector
The use of adhesive labels in the fruit industry provides a wide range of benefits.
Improving product presentation
Self-adhesive labels allow for the incorporation of custom designs that enhance the visual perception of the product, using high-definition technologies such as flexography.
This ensures that important information, such as the country of origin or ecological certifications, is easily visible, which directly influences the consumer’s purchasing decision at the point of sale.
Increased consumer confidence
They provide verified information about the product, such as traceability codes, certifications such as the European eco-label, and nutritional data.
Most consumers today like to have assurances that the food they buy complies with sustainable practices.
Optimization of logistics and export processes
The implementation of adhesive labels with bar codes optimizes inventory management and improves efficiency in the supply chain.
This technology facilitates the tracking of fruit batches. This reduces errors in logistics and enables rapid identification of products during export processes.
Ibi Adhesives Solutions for Fruit Labelling
At Adhesivas Ibi, we are specialists in offering quality labels for the food industry, among others. We are fully committed to the quality of our materials and customization.
High quality materials certified by the FDA
We use top-quality materials, certified by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), an agency that regulates the safety of food and pharmaceutical products.
Our adhesives are designed to withstand adverse conditions of humidity and cold, without losing legibility.
Customization and design of custom labels
We offer fully customized labeling solutions based on each client’s technical specifications.
We work with digital printing, flexography and other techniques to create all types of seals.
Considerations for choosing the right labels
When selecting labels for fruit, it is important to take into account the following considerations:
- Storage or transport conditions: humidity, temperature, and exposure to external elements.
- Label material: paper, plastics, or bioplastics depending on the required durability.
- Applicable regulations: compliance with international regulations, such as FDA certification or ecolabels.
- Printing technology: flexography or digital printing, which tolerate high-resolution details.
- Adhesives: selection of suitable adhesives to ensure adherence under specific conditions.
Innovations and trends in fruit labelling
The labelling sector is constantly evolving, and has experienced significant progress in recent years due to the need to comply with environmental regulations, improve traceability and satisfy an increasingly demanding consumer.
The main trends and technologies in this industry are:
- Smart labels: incorporation of sensors or digital elements to monitor freshness and temperature.
- Biodegradable labels: use of compostable and ecological materials.
- Custom digital printing: create labels with variable information on a large scale.
- Blockchain traceability: greater transparency in the supply chain through blockchain technology.
Why choose Adhesivas Ibi for your labeling needs?
At Adhesivas Ibi, we stand out for offering labeling services that meet the highest quality standards. We work with FDA-certified materials and use advanced printing technologies that adapt to the demands of the fruit sector.
Ready to optimize the labeling of your products? Contact us and discover our customized solutions for your business.
