CLIENT STORY: Replacing Ingredients while Keeping the Same Taste Profile // Beverages

THE CHALLENGE 

Due to new legislation requirements, the client had to replace two ingredients affecting the sweetness profile of their existing high volume beverage without noticeable changes in taste. The new legislation affected all products in the brand, and the whole product line needed to be reformulated.

The request was to:

• Replace two artificial sweeteners from the formulation, adjusting flavors if needed

• Match or improve consumer liking while keeping the cost at the same level

• Explore alternative ingredient options

THE APPROACH

Starting from one flavor and extending sequentially to other line extensions, the client generated and tested 5-6 recipes weekly, improving the formulations by giving continuous feedback to the AI-model.

Results were sent to consumer validation.

KEY RESULTS

• The sequential approach allowed the platform’s generative AI to leverage the data collected from previous flavors.

• The Exhive platform produced alternative formulations for this complex brand where the unassisted team could not find a solution

• The way of working reduced the number of prototypes needed significantly and client was able to get the products faster to market.

• In testing, the products received the same or better consumer liking than products currently on the market

BUSINESS IMPACT

Using the platform the client produced a product that was able to adapt to new requirements and remain on the market.

All line extensions were within the new regulations without consumers noticing a difference in the flavour profiles.