Product labeling; How the pandemic exposed an opportunity to communicate?

As a consumer, what details do you look out for on the products you consume?
Is it weights, quality standards, expiry dates or the ingredients. What extra details should a service description have?
So the overall question is, how far is the decision you make while buying something?

Covid19 and Product Labeling.

For companies the pandemic was yet another kind of “marketing” opportunity. Different companies paid for advertisement on Televisions and Radios in an effort to join the fight to raise awareness about the novel Corona Virus. As the attention grew, some companies sought various ways of keeping their brands afloat.  In the many ways explored to pass on this message to people is now “product labelling”
Space was given to detailing the recommended global to stop the spread of the novel Corona Virus, which is now another effective means.

Environmental protection and production labeling.

In Uganda the symbols “Keep Your Country Clean” and the “recycling icon” are what represents the company’s environmental protection interests. They have been made a standard mark for every product.
However it must noted be noted the kind of details and amount of space given to Covid19 guidelines is not the same for the dangerous environmental impact these companies cause.

The problem?

Scenario 1;

On Friday 24th July, I was on my way to near by small shop, I found a used big plastic for Coco-Cola reading “Stay Safe”.
I had seen several products with the same message, today in Uganda almost all radio or television adverts have a “Stay Safe” message. Something which is a great idea.
But reading the words “Stay Safe” on a disposed Coca-Cola bottle shocked me, it was indeed very surprising. What caught my attention too is the company mentioning in big bold letters how it is doing this in the interest of the public health and safety.

Scenario 2;

For PepsiCo, it’s worse, more of the brands in their product family did not give space to Covid19 guidelines and still mantain the small little almost not seen icons as their fight for the environment.

Why we need a change in Product Labeling?

1. Neglect of responsibility?

Companies have always promised us to shift to environmental friendly ways of doing business. But commitment to this shift seems far fetched.
It is clear that for companies to achieve better impact while addressing their environmental impacts, people, governments and other entities have to corporate. However companies are avoiding as much ground to corporate since they are not communicating their environmental impact.
“Despite the fact that people need to be sensitized and working regulations put in place, companies must take lead since they are the sit at the stat of the problem chain”
( Sadrach, The Plastic Effect; Part 3)


2. Companies have shown that a problem can be effectively communicated and action mobilized.


Therefore in order to inspire action, companies should go further to their environmental impact.
The way Covid19 guidelines are detailed is the way consumer guidelines should be detailed a part only to be played by the producers.
Even service companies must show give environmental friendly options of enjoying the service than the usual “come get served” style. For the services industry a shift to digital platforms will actually help the company reduce on its environmental impact by a significant measure.

(This article will be updated and part 2 will come soon, Thank you for reading)