In-N-Out to remove red dye No. 3 from its strawberry milkshake and pink lemonade
In-N-Out fans looking to satisfy a craving for a strawberry milkshake, pink lemonade or ketchup-drenched french fries might soon notice something a bit different.
The beloved burger spot, known for its limited menu and animal-style offerings, is changing its popular strawberry shake and signature pink lemonade recipes to remove red dye No. 3, an In-N-Out spokesperson told The Times on Wednesday. Red dye No. 3 is a synthetic additive used to give foods and drinks a bright red hue.
In-N-Out is also in the process of changing its ketchup to remove high-fructose corn syrup and replace it with cane sugar, the company's spokesperson said.
The recipe changes come on the heels of an April announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which asked companies to more quickly remove red dye No. 3. The agency announced earlier this year that it is banning the dye because it was found to cause cancer in some lab animals.
The FDA has said it doesn't view the dye as harmful to people since the biological process through which the dye causes cancer in rats doesn't occur in people. Also, humans consume red dye No. 3 at levels far lower than those shown to cause cancer in two studies of rats, according to the FDA.
The FDA previously gave food manufacturers until 2027 to remove red dye No. 3 from their products. Under the Delaney Clause, the FDA is mandated to ban any food or color additive known to cause cancer, even if just in animals.
It is not clear what ingredient will replace red dye No. 3 at In-N-Out.
Many In-N-Out enthusiasts wrote on social media that they'd stick with brand through the recipe changes. Some offered their own suggestions for improving the menu.
'I love In-N-Out. No big deal,' San Fernando Valley resident Samuel Almanza said in a Granada Hills Facebook group.'If it's healthier I'm all for it.'
One Facebook user said she could taste the artificial syrups and another suggested adding real strawberry chunks to the milkshake and lemonade.
Other fast food restaurants may also soon be forced to change menu items after the FDA approved the removal of six synthetic dyes from food products by the end of 2026.
Jack in the Box, founded in 1951 in San Diego, uses maraschino cherries and has a Fanta strawberry beverage that contains red No. 40 — an ingredient on the chopping block next year.
'Jack in the Box is committed to providing our customers craveable food made with quality ingredients. As part of this commitment, we make detailed ingredient information publicly available on our website,' spokesperson Casey Middleton said in an emailed statement. 'While some of our menu items do contain FDA-approved color additives, red dye 3 is not used in any of our products.'
McDonald's, which started in San Bernardino in 1940, said on its website that its menu items do not contain red dye No. 3.
Other soon-to-be banned dyes are green No. 3, yellow Nos. 5 and 6, and blue Nos. 1 and 2. Last week, the FDA approved three natural color additives — calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract — to replace them.
Calcium phosphate is a naturally occurring mineral found in bones and teeth. In food, calcium phosphate is used as a whitening agent. The FDA has approved the use of calcium in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar and coated candies.
Galdieria extract blue comes from a unicellular red algae, which is an organism that thrives in extreme marine and terrestrial environments, according to the National Institutes of Health. Galdieria extract blue was approved as a color additive in beverages such as fruit drinks, smoothies and juices.
Butterfly pea flower extract is derived from a clitoria ternatea plant, often used as a natural food colorant, according to the NIH. The plant has a bright blue color that, when mixed with acid, turns to an intense purple. The extract was approved for use in sports drinks, alcoholic beverages and teas.
'On April 22, I said the FDA would soon approve several new color additives and would accelerate our review of others. I'm pleased to report that promises made, have been promises kept,' FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said. 'FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources.'
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Marineland remains closed in Niagara Falls, Ont., says it hasn't decided if it will open this year
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The 10 Best Hair Growth Serums for Thicker, Fuller Hair
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Dealing with thinning hair is extremely lonely at times. When everyone else seems to have luscious, thick hair, finding clumps of hair in your drain at the end of every shower can feel discouraging and trigger the question, 'Why me?' If it helps, it's much more common than you might believe—in fact, more than 50 percent of women encounter hair loss at some point in their lives. Now more than ever, there are a slew of medications and products on the market that can help combat thinning, like the best masks for hair growth and hair growth devices. However, hair growth serums are one of the best ways to make your hair grow faster and thicker. Hair growth serums incorporate active ingredients that encourage hair thickening. One of the most effective ingredients is minoxidil, which Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in NYC and the founder of MGSkinLabs, reports is the only topical FDA-approved ingredient proven to be able to stimulate new growth. 'Backed by decades of clinical research, it works by increasing hair follicle size and stimulating the anagen, or growth phase, of the hair cycle. For the best results, they can be used in conjunction with other methods, such as platelet-rich plasma injections and oral medications,' she says. Still, Dr. Green emphasizes that the efficacy of minoxidil-based hair serums depends on the other ingredients added to the formula. There's also a host of other hair growth serums that employ different growth-triggering ingredients, like peptides, plant stem cells, and rosemary. 'They're all rich in antioxidants and can stimulate the scalp, increasing blood flow and promoting healthy growth,' explains trichologist and founder of Act+Acre, Helen Reveay. If minoxidil isn't for you, these formulas can act as an effective alternative. In our search for top options, we spoke to experts, trialed some formulas ourselves, and pored over customer reviews. Below, you can find the result—a list of the 10 best hair growth serums to restore your hair to its former glory. In this top-rated formula, a blend of caffeine and peptides work to boost circulation and promote healthy hair growth. This serum also features anti-inflammatory castor oil and arginine, which one study found helped limit hair loss and encourage hair growth when applied topically with zinc. Priced at just $13, it's also one of the most affordable hair growth serums available. Key ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, castor oil, arginine Hair Type: All Size: 1–2 fl. oz. How to use: Apply a few drops or as needed directly to the scalp. Use daily, ideally at bedtime, on clean, dry hair. Massage in thoroughly and do not rinse. Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars An ELLE editor says: 'I discovered this serum during the height of the pandemic. Hair loss was not new to me, but stress (and possibly a bout of Covid) led to so much shedding that I was seeing more and more of my scalp each day. As my part widened, I purchased the product in a panic, and I thankfully saw immediate results. The day after application, my remaining hair looked more voluminous, camouflaging how much of my scalp was now bare. Within weeks, even my mom noted how many baby hairs had sprouted all over my head. I fully credit this formula with nursing my scalp and hair back to health.' —Carol Lee, associate beauty e-commerce writer Exosomes are one of the buzziest ingredients in the skin care world these days. If you don't know what they are, they're basically molecules that deliver messages to cells, influencing their activity. In this serum, the featured exosomes help strengthen and thicken strands, encourage volume, and trigger hair growth for a thicker and longer mane. The formula also incorporates other ingredients used for hair growth, such as biotin and rosemary leaf extract. Key ingredients: Garlic vesicles, wheat peptide, niacinamide, glycerin, propanediol, rosemary leaf extract, BiotinoylTripeptide-1, panthenol, biotin Size: 2.03 fl. oz. How to use: Apply 1 ml of serum to scalp when hair is damp or dry. Massage into scalp. Do not rinse. Use daily. SickScience rating: 5/5 stars A SickScience reviewer says: 'We are very happy and impressed—the thin hair over the forehead of my husband looks more abundant and nicer!' When it comes to the all-time best hair growth products, few brands are more revered in the space than Rogaine. 'It offers over-the-counter solution and foam formulations with two percent or five percent minoxidil,' says Dr. Green. 'The product's FDA-approval, accessibility, and efficacy backed by clinical research—combined with its high user satisfaction—make it the most popular hair growth serum on the market.' Grab it in a three-month supply on Amazon, complete with free Prime shipping. Key ingredient: Minoxidil Size: 2 fl. oz, pack of 3 bottles How to use: Apply one millimeter two times daily on the scalp where there is hair loss. Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars An Amazon reviewer says: 'I had extensions put in for my wedding that damaged my hair at the crown and caused severe follicle damage. I've tried vitamins and masks with little success, but this product made a world of difference. My hair is growing back thicker and faster than it did before.' 'My absolute favorite hair growth serum is our Stem Cell serum,' says Reveay. 'It harnesses the power of plant cell culture technology, utilizing two percent Swiss apple stem cells that are clinically proven to promote and extend the hair's natural growth phase while soothing and hydrating the scalp.' Moreover, the formula features aloe vera, bamboo, and pea extract that 'work together to reduce the production of free radicals responsible for the premature aging of hair follicles,' she adds. As an extra perk, a handful of reviewers mention they experienced a boost in volume when using this serum consistently. Key ingredients: Swiss apple stem cells, aloe vera, bamboo, pea extract Size: 2.19 fl. oz. How to use: Apply one to two pipettes on clean, damp, or dry hair along the hairline. Massage into your scalp evenly. Do not rinse. Use daily. Act + Acre rating: 4.7/5 stars An Act + Acre reviewer says: 'This product does what it says. I have been dealing with terrible itchy, flakey, irritated scalp for months and have been trying to improve my hair health to regrow postpartum hair loss. This product has already made an immediate improvement with just a month of use. I will continue to use these and feel the difference!' Reveay calls this another great option, as it 'contains Buddleja Davidii plant stem cells and dynagen, which help to reproduce hair follicle cells at the source and increase the hair's keratin and collagen levels,' she says. According to the haircare brand, the formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and devoid of harsh sulfates and parabens. Key ingredients: Buddleja Davidii plant stem cells, dynagen Size: 3.38 fl. oz. How to use: Apply directly to the scalp on wet or dry hair directly after washing and conditioning. Holistic Chair Tribe rating: 5/5 stars A Holistic Chair Tribe reviewer says: 'After dealing with hair loss for so many years, I was shocked to see results so fast with this amazing products. I totally recommend. I use with the Micro -stimulating hair bath for better results.' 'Saw palmetto is a botanical extract that has been used by Native Americans as medicine for hundreds of years,' says Dr. Green. 'It features antiandrogenic properties that have been shown to improve hair growth in those experiencing androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium (or temporary hair loss caused by stress).' Although commonly found in hair growth serums and supplements, Dr. Green says it's still important to note that 'extensive clinical studies are needed to prove its efficacy and safety in long-term use.' This top-rated formula features saw palmetto and a range of other natural oils, like moringa oil for hydration and rosemary oil to help stimulate hair growth further. Since this product is oil-based, it should be washed out of hair following application. Key ingredients: Saw palmetto, rosemary oil, moringa oil Hair Type: Dry, brittle, thinning Size: 1 fl. oz. How to use: Apply two to three drops to the scalp in affected areas and gently massage in. Leave on overnight or a minimum of 30 minutes before showering. Apply two to four times per week. Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars An Amazon reviewer says: 'I've tried so many things for hair thinning and shedding throughout the years, but had no significant results after months of use. This is the first product I've used that gives me hope. I just started using this product a few days ago, and I already notice at least a 75 percent reduction in shedding. The hairs at the crown of my head are already feeling thicker, and I had a long-standing sore sensation at the crown of my head that is starting to subside. This stuff is magic! I'm excited about the progress I'll see in a few weeks/months.' When you have naturally fine, thin hair, shedding is the last thing you want added to the equation. But this serum from popular vegan haircare brand Vegamour is made to help. The serum is powered by turmeric and red leaf clover, two anti-inflammatory ingredients that block DHT production that can lead to hair loss. It also contains mung bean, which features copper, which could potentially help enlarge the hair follicle and improve hair growth. In clinical studies, 52 percent of subjects who used this product experienced an increase in the appearance of hair density, while 76 percent saw less hair shedding. Key ingredients: Turmeric, red leaf clover, mung bean How to use: Part dry hair into sections and massage the serum into your scalp for one to two minutes. Leave on your scalp for five to 10 minutes then follow with shampoo and conditioner. Use once a week for best results. Vegamour rating: 4.4/5 stars A Vegamour reviewer says: 'I've gotten compliments from my hairdressers and co-workers after using this for almost two months now, so I know this miracle serum works! My hair is fine and tends to break, and I'm noticing baby fine hair growing back where I had patches. I was seriously contemplating purchasing a wig but decided to try this product first, and I'm glad I did.' Curly-haired girls, unite! Since curly locks tend to be dryer and more prone to breakage, you'll want to look for a hair growth serum that's particularly nourishing. This one from Pura D'or has a range of ingredients—such as apple stem cells, rosemary oil, and biotin—to stimulate the scalp, alongside argan oil and sacha inchi seed oil to deeply hydrate from root to tip and promote shine. Key ingredients: Apple stem cells, rosemary, biotin, argan oil, sacha inchi seed oil Size: 4 fl. oz. How to use: Apply daily on damp or dry hair. Lift hair in sections to spray directly onto scalp, and massage. Do not rinse. An Amazon reviewer says: 'This serum is growing back my edges! I have tried other products with little or no results. This took about three weeks to see progress with hair coming back where there was none. Now my hair line is filling in, and the hair is getting longer and thicker after a couple months of ever day use. The smell is nice and the serum leaves my hair soft with a nice sheen. Have ordered my second bottle don't want to be without this product!' Instead of using minoxidil, this hair serum includes ashwagandha exosomes, which 'can increase cell renewal and protect the scalp from environmental stress,' says Dr. Green. Additionally, it contains antioxidant-rich pea sprouts and green tea to protect against free radicals and sea buckthorn to revive and smooth damaged tresses. 'Daily and consistent use of this serum can help minimize breakage, nourish, and hydrate the scalp to maintain scalp health, and improve hair quality and thickness,' she adds. Key ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, green tea, pea extracts Size: 1.7 fl. oz. How to use: Section the hair with the dropper tip and apply the serum directly to your scalp, using enough serum to lightly cover the areas of concern. Massage with your fingertips. Do not rinse. Use daily. Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars An Amazon reviewer says: 'This product does what it says. I have been dealing with terrible itchy, flakey, irritated scalp for months and am trying to improve my hair health to regrow postpartum hair loss. These products have already made an immediate improvement with just a month of use.' SpoiledChild's hair growth serum features three hardworking ingredients: biotin to strengthen strands, niacinamide to support hair health, and caffeine to stimulate the scalp. The formula absorbs quickly, so it doesn't leave a gunky residue that you can feel long after application. Reviewers love it for the fast results it provides as well as its ability to noticeably minimize shedding. Key ingredients: Biotin, niacinamide, caffeine How to use: Shake the bottle. Apply 6–8 sprays onto scalp when hair is damp or wet. Massage into skin for about one minute. Do not rinse. Use daily. SpoiledChild rating: 4.4/5 stars A SpoiledChild reviewer says:'I have always had pretty thin hair but noticed it had gotten thinner over the past years to [the] point where I looked like I was balding. It's only been 30 days since using this product, and I do feel like I'm seeing a difference! The back of my head, where it used to just look bald, looks like I have hair growing now, and I actually also have baby hairs coming out in the front.' 'So many factors can contribute to hair loss, such as age, stress levels, diet, illness, hormonal imbalances, or even product buildup,' says Reveay. 'It's key to distinguish what type of hair loss you are experiencing, as methods of treatment and prevention can vary widely. Hair loss transpires three to six months after a trigger has occurred, so think back and ask yourself questions like, 'Were you going through something stressful or experiencing changes in your diet?'' she adds. 'Always consult with your doctor and get blood work done to see what's going on.' While there are many different types of hair loss, Dr. Green says some of the most common include androgenetic alopecia, traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata. For one, consider options with finasteride, says Dr. Green. 'It's an FDA-approved oral medication for hair loss that works by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT—aka the male sex hormone that causes hair loss in both men and women. Recent studies have shown that topical finasteride is just as effective as oral finasteride. A major benefit of topical finasteride is that it is a localized treatment at a lower dosage, which decreases the risk of systemic side effects,' she adds. Also, it's important to steer clear of serums featuring ingredients that 'strip the scalp or act as an abrasive, such as alcohols, fragrances, silicones, or sulfates,' Reveay notes. 'Consistent use of hair growth serums, Rogaine, or topical minoxidil/finasteride is key in hair growth, and the results can take up to four to six months,' says Dr. Green. 'Results typically show the growth of new baby hairs, a decrease in hair shedding, and potential thickening of the hair.''Alternatively, a popular in-office treatment for promoting and maintaining scalp health is HydraFacial Keravive, which stimulates circulation, deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and nourishes the scalp,' adds Dr. Green. Helen Reveay is a hairstylist, certified trichologist, and the founder and creative director of Act+Acre. Dr. Michele Green is board-certified, cosmetic dermatologist based in NYC and the founder of MGSkinLabs. As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, writers spoke with numerous trusted hair experts to learn the benefits of hair growth serums.
Yahoo
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RFID for packaging enters new markets, despite pause on FDA traceability rule
This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. Even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hit pause on the Food Traceability Rule, that doesn't mean companies across the supply chain have stopped adopting tracking tools. Many industry participants and observers in the RFID for packaging space don't think the changed timeline will mute work on the technology. Food companies and retailers had been pushing to embrace tracking technologies, such as radio-frequency identification, ahead of the deadline, and packaging suppliers have worked to incorporate RFID tags into their products. But some companies struggled with timely tech adoption in the lead-up to the FDA's compliance deadline of January 2026, prompting organizations including the Food Industry Association to applaud applaud the agency's March announcement of a two-and-a-half year compliance extension to July 20, 2028. FDA proposed the rule during President Trump's first term, following multiple outbreaks tied to romaine lettuce. The intent was to boost producers' recordkeeping and traceability for foods at high risk of contamination so companies could easily identify involved suppliers during a foodborne illness outbreak. Companies must track key data across the supply chain and quickly submit records requested by FDA in instances of potential harm to the public. The government mandate appeared to accelerate deployment. Although RFID has been around for decades, "I am seeing a — I'll use the word 'resurgence' — of RFID investments" in the last 12 to 18 months, said Sandeep Unni, a senior director analyst in Gartner's retail industry research practice. "This became sort of an emergency that they needed to quickly turn around and make that investment, pivot to ensure that they had the compliance come January of '26." Implementation didn't accelerate enough, though, which prompted the agency's extension. While the extension might temper movement, it's unlikely to change the overall trajectory, sources say. "It slows down this expected boost to the RFID industry, but I don't think it shuts it down," said Kirsten Newquist, CEO at Identiv, a digital security and Internet of Things technology company. "My understanding is the FDA is still committed to these regulations. They're just pushing it out to give everyone the time they need to be able to set up the systems accordingly." Although implementation could decelerate in the near term, the sector ultimately is poised for growth, experts say. Tech and packaging companies continue to advance RFID design to overcome known challenges, such as functioning in various temperatures, and to ensure recyclability. While RFID has had a place in transportation logistics for some time, it's still on the early end of adoption in food, observers say. "This is technology that really allows companies to be able to be compliant with these regulations, and in a way that's way more efficient and cost effective, we believe, than traditional bar codes or QR codes," Newquist said. During the last decade, certain retailers and food companies moved forward with RFID for packaging due to factors outside of the FDA. Walmart is considered a major force driving businesses to adopt the technology. Over two decades ago, it launched a mandate that some suppliers use RFID on certain products the retailer carries, which it has since expanded to cover nearly every product. Grocery giants Albertsons and Kroger also have traceability programs in place. The former was an early adopter more than 20 years ago, and the latter announced in October that it would roll out Avery Dennison's RFID inventory automation technology across fresh foods departments. Chipotle introduced RFID nationwide after a 200-restaurant pilot in the Chicago area and asked its suppliers to tag their products. It's the first restaurant chain to make use of this type of inventory management system, according to the company. In the packaging and labels space, Avery Dennison often is heralded as an RFID leader. While early work involved incorporating smart labels on soft goods, such as clothing, the company has expanded its reach into other packaging markets, including food. "We're adding the inlay into the actual packaging materials. And we use a lot of our material science roots to make that as seamless as possible," said Julie Vargas, vice president and general manager of identification solutions at Avery Dennison. "When you do have a food safety event, you know exactly what those serial numbers are and you can isolate those for a recall event." Companies continue to identify new markets to introduce the technology. For instance, it's gaining popularity for inventory management of high-value products to prevent counterfeiting, such as for wine, watches and jewelry, Newquist said. Before scaling RFID, Identiv customers are typically interested in pilot projects — an especially important step for new applications, Newquist said. "They want to make sure that their assumptions around the return on investment are valid, but also just the practical implementation: tagging, read rates, kind of all the assumptions that go into planning and launching a new RFID system," she said. RFID can improve efficiency by slashing the time needed for labor-intensive inventory tasks. "When you're counting boxes, you don't have to actually scan 100 bar codes. You're taking a wireless scan of 100 things, and it's picking up 100 numbers," Vargas said. "Supply chains have never been more complex than they have in the past four to five years, so it's ... really valuable for businesses to optimize these types of scenarios." Still, there's room for additional improvement when it comes to incorporating the technology in packages. "Physics gets in the way of certain types of packaging," Gartner's Unni said. Radio frequency "doesn't play nicely with things like metals and liquids, so we've done a lot to innovate to overcome that," Vargas said. She described how specialty inlays or antennas that are inserted into the packaging itself, instead of in a surface label, alleviate some of those challenges. Although radio-frequency technology hasn't traditionally performed well in temperatures or humidity levels outside typical ambient range, that's changing, too. Modern systems now allow real-time location tracking and temperature monitoring in cold-chain settings, including for pharmaceuticals, Newquist said. Concerns remain about heating metal smart tag components, such as in a microwave if a frozen meal has a tracker on the packaging, but design evolutions are making headway. Although technology improvements are solving some of these challenges, "the reality is that in those types of environments, broader adoption still lags," Unni said. For all of RFID's potential benefits, there are also concerns about impacts to a package's sustainability profile, namely whether and how the smart tags' metal wires, plastics and other materials affect packaging recyclability. Research and testing generally points to RFID devices not impairing recyclability, sources say. "Our mission is to make it the least intrusive as possible," Vargas said. "We've done a lot of work with different MRFs and recycling facilities to make sure that it does not impact the recyclability work stream." Last year, Smurfit Westrock released a report on the topic, based on a study conducted in partnership with Western Michigan University on corrugated boxes with smart tags, including RFID versions. The researchers examined what happened to tag materials during box repulping. Upon testing paper samples made from the repulped boxes, no residual metals were detected by a metal detector. The researchers concluded that smart tags do not have a notable impact on corrugated box recyclability. "All of the materials were removed during the grinding process," said John Dwyer, director of business development at Smurfit Westrock, during a 2024 interview. "We're able to easily separate the corrugate material from the waste product, so there was zero negative impact on fiber recovery." Although smart tags can be separated from recyclable packaging materials, the tracking components are not recycled, Dwyer said. That material is disposed as waste, similar to tapes or staples that are separated from corrugated boxes during recycling. "It's such a small amount of material; it's negligible," he said, pointing out that the silicon chips inside the tags are smaller than a grain of sand. Smurfit Westrock already observes a considerable amount of smart tags traveling through its recycling facilities and expects that volume to balloon. At just one mill, the company recently saw more than 1 million RFID labels over the course of just a few months, Dwyer said. "So we know that this is happening. We know that it's growing." The company believed it was important to conduct new research on RFID and box recyclability because the last notable study on the topic occurred nearly 20 years earlier, prior to many technological advancements that could impact modern recycling practices. Smurfit Westrock wanted to draw conclusions before the technology reaches critical mass and it would be too onerous to reverse course. "We didn't want to tell people on the front end that it's good to put tags on packaging and not be a source of truth," Dwyer said. "So on the back end, we did the work. And now we can, with confidence, recommend that you can use them." Even if RFID implementation experiences a temporary slowdown stemming from the FDA's extended compliance deadline, sources predict significant growth for the next few years. Avery Dennison reported a 15% compound annual growth rate for sales of its intelligent labels between 2018 and 2024, and it's targeting that same percentage for long-term organic sales growth going forward. The company sees considerable opportunities to grow in markets such as food, according to a newly released investor presentation. RFID early adopters "are providing a leadership space that will actually create a real flywheel around this," Avery Dennison's Vargas said of the traceability trend. But other wireless tracking technologies, such as bluetooth low energy and near-field communication, are entering the space and putting pressure on RFID's market foothold. Even so, RFID use in packaging won't wane anytime soon, sources say. "RFID is still very much relevant," said Gartner's Unni, noting that he is "cautiously bullish" on its future. "Those that have leaned in on RFID earlier ... I think this is the natural extension to scale this tech into their supply chain and realize the additional benefits, as well as compliance." Observers believe that RFID not only will maintain its role in packaging and product traceability, but in fact will expand — both organically and driven by regulation. Phenix Label announced in January that it had doubled its production capacity for RFID-enabled packaging for hard-to-tag retail items, including some liquids. Describing a newly announced deal between RFID tech solutions provider Radar and retailer Old Navy, Michael Roxland, Truist Securities senior paper and packaging analyst, said in a March note to investors that the project signals retailers' "continued interest in the technology." Economic uncertainty resulting from tariffs could dampen traceability investments, but the impact likely will be short-lived, sources say. For instance, most of Avery Dennison's cross-border trade in North America, including for RFID technologies, is compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Roxland noted in April. RFID for packaging isn't only about ensuring food safety and quality. But food traceability very well could be what pushes the technology toward mainstream adoption in the coming years. "This is going to be the rails that the industry runs on. And we're just getting started," Vargas said. Recommended Reading Kroger rolls out Avery Dennison RFID tech
