Next-Gen Functional Ingredients
Scouting, testing, and ranking new antioxidant, bioactive, and emulsifier ingredients to replace synthetics like BHA—without sacrificing taste, shelf life, or cost.
Client
Global Snacks Manufacturer
Objective
Replace Synthetic Additives
Timeline
10-Week Program
Key Focus
"Clean-Label" Parity
The Challenge: The Clean-Label Balancing Act
Food brands are under intense pressure to replace synthetic additives, but "clean-label" alternatives must deliver on four fronts simultaneously: performance, sensory experience, supply chain reliability, and regulatory compliance.
Our Discovery Framework
-
Performance: Do the natural ingredients match synthetic benchmarks for oxidative stability and shelf-life extension?
-
Sensory Impact: Do they affect flavor, color, or texture at an effective dose, passing rigorous sensory panels?
-
Supply Chain: Are raw materials available at scale (≥1,000 t/yr) with verifiable sustainability certifications?
-
Regulatory Status: Are the ingredients GRAS in the US and permitted in the EU, or will a lengthy novel-food dossier be required?
Key Outcomes: Five High-Priority Natural Ingredients
Our 10-week program, which included formulation trials and supply chain audits, delivered a ranked shortlist of commercially viable, clean-label solutions.
Strategic Impact
The snacks manufacturer approved commercial trials for the top two recommendations. Early sensory panels report flavor parity with only a $0.004 per serving cost increase. The company is now on course to phase out three synthetic additives and strengthen its clean-label credentials.