Foodvalley updates guide for food product reformu­la­tion

Developing a healthier product without compromising on taste or texture remains a challenge. To support companies in that effort, Foodvalley has released an updated edition of the Practical Guide for Reformulation and Innovation. The publication has been expanded with new insights into plant-based ingredients, novel proteins and upcycled ingredients.

More practical knowledge available

The first public edition was released in 2025. The 2026 version includes new case studies, additional supplier information and further insights from across the food industry.

The guide shows how companies approach reformulation in practice. Taste, texture, mouthfeel, appearance and functionality all play an important role. Changes to ingredients often affect multiple product characteristics at the same time. Foodvalley has aligned the publication with the National Approach to Product Improvement (NAPV). Topics such as salt, sugar, saturated fat, fibre and protein are covered through practical examples.

Greater focus on proteins and upcycling

New in this edition is a dedicated chapter on plant-based ingredients and novel proteins. The chapter includes solutions for replacing meat, dairy and eggs, among other applications. In addition, upcycled ingredients have been added to the various solution overviews. Through this, Foodvalley aims to provide inspiration for product development with a stronger focus on circularity.

The publication was developed within Foodvalley’s The Healthier Food Community. Contributions to this edition also came from The Protein Community, The Upcycling Community and The Regenerative Agriculture Community.

Reference guide for product development

The guide is aimed at professionals working in product development, R&D, innovation and marketing. Organisations can use the publication as a reference guide, a discussion tool or training material for teams involved in reformulation.

Foodvalley encourages users to share their experiences and feedback so the guide can remain up to date and continue to evolve.

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