Responding to customer demand is key to staying competitive. Growing consumer worries about chemicals in everyday foods can mean that with each new concern, companies find themselves in the position of ignoring the latest alarm or repeatedly reformulating their products, both of which can carry significant cost.
Reformulation is nothing new to food manufacturers. In addition to innovating new formulations, there are also ongoing efforts to reduce artificial trans-fats and minimize added sugar and salt. But, chasing consumers’ changing habits in addition to responding to new regulatory requirements may feel like one unending game of whack-a-mole.