Roquette webinar preview: Navigating consumer demands and regulatory challenges

Consumers and policymakers are pushing for healthier food options, creating pressure but also opportunities for innovation. Evolving regulations, like HFSS (High in Fat, Sugar & Salt), and nutritional scoring systems, like Nutri-Score, push manufacturers to navigate a complex landscape that rewards smarter, more nutritious product reformulation.

Experts from Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients, will explore the challenges and opportunities in reformulating tasty products that align with consumer values and regulatory requirements in an exclusive webinar with Food Ingredients First.

Follow this link to register for the free webinar, which will broadcast on Tuesday, October 28.

Ahead of the webinar, we sat down with Roquette’s Neus Arenas, marketing manager for Food Specialties, and Quentin Laisne, an application scientist, to explore some of the key discussion points.

Health-forward food development

Consumer needs are the primary factor shaping the food and beverage industry — and they often precede the creation of public policy restrictions, explains Arenas.

“We see how consumers are increasingly focused on healthier food choices, which drives new product development in the market. For example, the recent surge in demand for protein-rich foods began in specialized nutrition but has now spread across all categories — and continues to grow.”

For Laisne, the leading challenge food brands face in meeting the requirements of systems like Nutri-Score and HFSS is how to improve the nutritional quality of products without making any perceptible difference in their sensory profile.

“Brands know how important it is to maintain customer loyalty and how even a minimal, almost imperceptible change can drive consumers to switch to a competing product. That said, there are cases where a new version — aimed at being healthier — is well accepted and even becomes a new staple within the consumer base.”

Roquette has developed a reduced-sugar cake recipe with a better Nutri-Score than the market average. The company has also achieved similar success with other applications, such as sauces, dairy desserts, and savory dishes.Roquette experts discuss how evolving regulations and consumer demand for healthier foods are driving innovation in product reformulation.

Roquette’s expertise in ingredients

The French-based innovator offers a broad portfolio of ingredients for reformulation. The expertise of its Customer Technical Service utilizes pilot plants to conduct as many tests as needed. 

“Additionally, we have a sensory lab to evaluate products with consumers and gauge their acceptance and purchase intent,” says Laisne.

“Our regulatory team continuously monitors the market to help us ensure that everything we do complies with current regulations and, when relevant, front-of-pack scoring systems. It’s not just about the products we offer, but the comprehensive service we provide to ensure our customers’ success in product development.”Join Roquette’s upcoming webinar to explore plant-based solutions and strategies for meeting Nutri-Score and HFSS standards in modern food development.

Future focuses

Roquette expects the increased focus on health and transparency to continue, supported by further regulatory measures designed to benefit consumers and help them better understand the products they purchase.

“We recommend staying alert and prepared to adapt products to these evolving preferences, ensuring that we support the adoption of healthier food choices while maintaining the great taste consumers desire,” says Arenas

Food Ingredients First recently explored affordable protein advancements, dairy product innovation, and functional beverage innovations with Roquette’s experts.