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You might think you know the meaning of the word “healthy.” For the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, things are a little less clear. As a result, the FDA is currently in the process of redefining the “healthy” claim found on food packaging and labels. This redefinition looks to update FDA food labeling requirements and align the meaning of the term to meet current Nutrition Science standards, the existing Nutrition Facts Label, and the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Here is why

Dot It is excited to announce that Evan Buell, previously serving as Dot It’s Chief Operating Officer, has transitioned to General Manager! Evan Buell brings with him a proven track record of success in both Business and Operations leadership. With seven years of management experience and fifteen years in professional operations and manufacturing environments, Evan is an ideal fit for the General Manager role. His core passion lies in developing teams to grow and exceed expectations to deliver desired results across an enterprise.

The evolution of restaurant practices points to the integration of labor, technology, marketing, and culinary emerging trends. Delivery services, sustainability, and eco-friendly food packaging have become crucial components of the restaurant ecosystem, making them the principal restaurant trends. Many restaurants are turning to QR menus, delivery drones, and more restaurant automation. With so many changes taking place, it's essential to monitor restaurant trends to stay competitive and provide a better experience for customers

As consumer awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, more businesses are looking for ways to operate more sustainably. As a result, there has been an increasing focus on biodegradable utensils and packaging. Dot It is leading the way in this area with various biodegradable solutions, such as biodegradable straws and cutlery for restaurants. This supports environmentally friendly initiatives and helps transition to 100% biodegradable food packaging and utensils. This is a significant step forward in reducing plastic pollution and positively impacting the environment.

Gas and convenience stores have become a staple of American life; you’re likely to come across one every few blocks. The industry has become crowded, so staying visible to customers is challenging. One of the best ways to attract and retain more customers is through marketing and promotion. If you own a gas and convenience store, how do you promote and boost sales in your store? Here are five convenience store marketing ideas that should bring in more customers and improve sales. 

Grab-and-go meals offer an excellent way for convenience stores to compete with restaurants and supermarkets. Most of your customers come to your c-store because it’s convenient; here’s your chance to make it more than that and increase loyalty and sales. As they shop for emergency items, they now have the option of having a meal ready to go too. 

Paper Market Update:

The recent announcement of the impending closure of the Pixelle specialty paper mill has sent shockwaves through the label industry. For years, Pixelle has been the go-to source for high-quality paper release liners in North America, used in a wide variety of applications, including pressure-sensitive labels.  Now, with the Pixelle mill set to close its doors, label printers and converters are scrambling to find alternatives. 

The FDA published the final rule on menu labeling on December 2014, but the compliance date was May 7, 2018. Although 2018 was the official compliance date, the FDA spent the first year educating members before starting enforcement of the menu labeling law on May 7, 2019.Further, the Food and Drug Administration announced that January 1, 2024, will be the uniform compliance date for final food labeling regulations that are issued in calendar years 2021 and 2022.

The National Association of Convenience Stores - NACS Show 2022 will be held October 1-4,2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. NACS Show is undeniably the biggest event this year in the convenience and fuel store sector. From store owners to operators, the event attracts the who-is-who in the industry. The NACS show 2022 schedule provides attendees a chance to discover new products, share ideas, learn about industry trends and updates, and connect with new partners.Some of the critical talking points in this year’s convenience store trade show include:

Many states have amended regulations allowing restaurants to deliver alcohol beverages. That gave birth to the to-go alcohol and cocktails trend, liquor made on-site by a licensed operator. As of May 2021, 20 states continue to allow to-go cocktails and alcohol delivery. Some states require restaurants to use tamper-evident labels & packing supplies to seal alcoholic beverages in accordance with state laws and regulations. Dot It provides SecureIt™ alcohol to-go labels that safely secure alcoholic beverages and cocktails for takeout and delivery orders in accordance with state alcohol laws. Take a look at the most popular to-go cocktail and alcoholic drinks to include on your restaurant’s menu.