Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

How to get started with reverse engineering of food products?

01 Jul

How to get started with reverse engineering of food products?

by Food Research Lab

in New product development, Reverse Engineering

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What is reverse engineering?

Reverse engineering, also known as back engineering, is a process of obtaining knowledge from a manufactured product and developing one with similar characteristics. In the food and beverage industries, reverse engineering is also called deformulation. By reverse engineering, food manufacturing start ups can learn how a product is made and update an existing product that meets consumer requirements.

The food industry must develop food products that are convenient, tasty, affordable, and meet regulatory requirements. For this purpose, they must consider the traditional methods of food product development and food processing techniques and reformulate them by reverse engineering. Food reverse engineering also helps to reduce potential risks. In addition, reverse engineering also helps in the formulation of vegan products that mimic the organoleptic properties of animal-based or dairy products, like vegan milk and cheese.

Steps involved in reverse engineering of food products.

The method for reverse engineering and redesign was first suggested by Otto and Wood in 1998. The following are the steps involved in the reverse engineering of food products:

1.Choose a food product you want to reverse engineer

The product may be formulated by a competitor or one that is successful, but you want to create a product specific to a target audience. An example of such a reverse-engineered product is the formulation of curry and marinades, specific to the Indian population living in the US and Canada.

2.Obtain information specific to the product

Begin this process by obtaining multiple samples of the product. Study the components of the product by examining the food product label, packaging, and ingredients. Take note of the ingredients mentioned on the food packaging. To understand the various proportions of the different ingredients, check the nutritional information of the food product.

The product that is to be reverse engineered must also be tested for its sensory profile. A food and beverage consultant like the Food Research Lab can help in the sensory evaluation of food and recreate the product.

3.Recreate the food product

After thoroughly analyzing the ingredients, the product can be recreated by using varying proportions of the ingredients to obtain a similar appearance, taste, and texture.

Examples of reverse engineered food products include ready to eat nutritonal bar , protein truffles and all purpose cream formulated in the Food Research Lab.

4.Test the product and make any changes if necessary

While recreating the product, test it for its sensory properties and nutritional profile. Document areas of improvement. Adjusting ingredient quantities or experimenting with different ingredients can help you improve your recipe. Evaluation of food quality is also crucial at this stage.

5.Document the procedures

Take notes of the manufacturing process involved in reverse engineering. Doing so will help you develop subsequent batches of the food products efficiently.

6.Validate the results

Compare the product with the original product from which you have reverse engineered. Conduct sensory evaluation to determine the likeness and quality of your reverse-engineered food product [1].

Conclusion

Reverse engineering involves gathering knowledge from an existing product by analysing its ingredients and nutritional profile and developing a similar one. Reverse engineering food products makes them more consumer-friendly in terms of pricing and food quality and ensures they meet the food regulations. The steps include selecting the product, analyzing the ingredients and nutritional profile, product recreation, testing, documentation, and validation. These steps help in developing a reverse-engineered product.

How the Food Research Lab can help

We are a team of food technologists and scientists offering food product development services. We help in new food product development, functional food product development, and reformulating an existing product by reverse engineering. We also provide food product development ideas for our clients that help them develop a broad range of food products like millet food products, novel food products, and natural food products. We also evaluate the food products for their quality, nutritional profile, and sensory characteristics and ensure the products developed are successful.