Consumer Packaged Goods Reformulation

In a recent retail report, 179,600 consumer packaged goods worldwide were reformulated last year in an effort to keep up with consumers’ changing tastes. Many of the reformulations were done to accommodate the consumers’ wants/needs for a healthier lifestyle and healthier food choices. Companies such as Campbell’s, Pepsico, Kellogg’s, and others were among those reformulating their products in an attempt to reduce sodium, sugar, and saturated fats.

In response to shifting consumer expectations, consumer packaged goods reformulation has become essential in the industry. Reformulation involves altering product ingredients and manufacturing processes to create healthier, eco-friendly versions of popular consumer products, ranging from food and beverages to personal care items. As consumers increasingly prioritize clean labels, reduced sugar, and sustainable ingredients, manufacturers are leveraging scientific and technological advancements to reformulate products without sacrificing taste or quality.

Why Consumer Goods Reformulation Matters

1. Health and Wellness Trends: As awareness grows around health and wellness, consumers are opting for products that support a healthier lifestyle. Reformulation is a proactive approach to meet this demand by reducing sugars, artificial additives, and trans fats in products.

2. Environmental Sustainability: With an emphasis on sustainable living, companies are reformulating products to include eco-friendly, renewable ingredients. These efforts also reduce reliance on single-use plastics and non-renewable resources, addressing the environmental concerns of today’s consumers.

3. Regulatory Compliance: Global and regional regulations increasingly encourage or mandate changes in product formulations to limit harmful ingredients, such as certain preservatives or dyes. Reformulation helps companies meet compliance requirements, preventing potential legal challenges.

4. Competitive Advantage: Brands that reformulate to align with consumer and regulatory demands gain a competitive edge, as reformulated products often become market leaders. Reformulation can enhance brand loyalty and attract new customers.

Challenges in Reformulating Consumer Goods

Reformulating products to meet health and sustainability standards isn’t without challenges. Ingredient availability, cost considerations, and maintaining product integrity are complex issues manufacturers face. For instance, removing sugars or artificial preservatives may alter a product’s taste or shelf life, necessitating extensive research to find suitable alternatives.

Advances in Reformulation Techniques

Today, advanced technologies such as food science innovations, biotechnology, and sustainable sourcing help companies reformulate without compromising on quality. Ingredient innovation, like plant-based substitutes and sustainable packaging, also makes it easier to create reformulated products that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

Future Trends in Consumer Goods Reformulation

Consumer demand for plant-based products, reduced sugar options, and environmentally friendly packaging is expected to continue shaping reformulation trends. The future of consumer goods lies in the hands of brands that proactively address these demands while staying at the forefront of innovation.

For more information on reformulation strategies or product trends, stay updated on the latest industry insights or consult with consumer goods reformulation experts.

These product reformulations require updated packaging and labeling and nutritional and stability testing. If your company has recently reformulated a consumer product, let us save you time and money in finding a laboratory to perform your testing! Call us at 1-855-377-6821 or submit a test request on our website.

Find a lab to help with your consumer goods testing!

Contract Laboratory has already helped numerous companies find labs for their product reformulation testing like the following:

• Food Laboratory needed to reformulate a pastrami and salami seasoning blend for a breakdown of ingredients to identify the spices and spice extracts in these blends.
• Consumer Products Cosmetics Laboratory needed for reformulation of water-based nail polish for kids.
• Analytical Chemistry Laboratory needed for deformulation of a liquid-based dietary supplement and then reformulation at a higher dosage.
• Food Analytical Chemistry Laboratory needed for reformulation of cheese to increase shelf life
• Food Laboratory needed for reformulation batch testing of caramel candy products. Looking for batch tests to be performed based on new GMO-free and organic recipes.
• USA (Colorado Preferred) food laboratory needed for pet treat deformulation testing and reformulation
• and more!

If you are reformulating a consumer packaged good, or need another type of consumer product testing, we can help! Contact us today to get started!