The Formulation Puzzle Ingredion Incorporated used SupplySide Global 2026 to showcase how ingredient suppliers are tackling a persistent product development tension: adding nutritional benefits without sacrificing taste and texture. Consumer demand has shifted toward products with more protein and fiber, less sugar, simpler ingredient lists, and digestive- or metabolic-health support. The surge in GLP-1 agonist use has intensified interest in nutrient-dense foods. But those additions create downstream problems. Extra protein or fiber alters mouthfeel and stability; less sugar affects sweetness and overall sensory experience. "Our customers are navigating more complex consumer expectations, and that is shaping how we innovate at Ingredion," said Teresa Kilgore, senior director of marketing in the U.S. and Canada at Ingredion. "We're moving beyond solving for one ingredient or benefit at a time, combining our consumer insights, broad portfolio, and formulation expertise to co-create products with customers that deliver across nutrition, taste and texture."
## Four Prototypes on Display Ingredion (NYSE: INGR) presented four formulation concepts at booth #3457: - Super Juicy Vibe Reduced Sugar Smoothie: Uses Ingredion's FUSERAR clean-label smoothie solution to lower sugar content, cut cost-in-use, and speed development while preserving fruit flavor and mouthfeel.
- Vanilla Prebiotic + Protein Shake: Combines protein, fiber, and prebiotics for digestive-health positioning with zero added sugar and a creamy texture.
- Blueberry Prebiotic Gummy: Pairs reduced sugar with precision prebiotic fiber in a familiar format while maintaining taste and texture.
- Indulgent Chocolate Protein Bite: Delivers protein and fiber in a portable format with 85% less sugar, using allulose—a rare sugar metabolized differently than conventional sugars—as a sweetening agent.
Market Context
Ingredion, based in the Chicago suburbs, generated approximately $7.2 billion in annual net sales in 2025 and operates in more than 120 countries. The company supplies ingredient solutions to food, beverage, animal nutrition, brewing, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets. Kilgore emphasized the strategic shift: "By putting our customers and their consumers at the center of our innovation strategy, we can help brands anticipate what's next, bring consumer-preferred products to market faster and unlock new opportunities for growth."
Why It Matters
For food and beverage manufacturers, the challenge of balancing nutrition, indulgence, and clean labels remains the highest bar to product success. Ingredion's multi-functional approach—addressing protein, fiber, sugar reduction, and digestive health simultaneously—reflects how ingredient companies are repositioning themselves as formulation partners rather than single-benefit suppliers.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific problem is Ingredion solving with its SupplySide Global prototypes?
Ingredion is addressing the formulation tension between adding protein and fiber while cutting sugar and maintaining taste and texture. Their four prototypes—including the FUSERAR smoothie solution and the Vanilla Prebiotic + Protein Shake—demonstrate how to hit multiple consumer demands simultaneously without sacrificing sensory performance or cost-in-use.
How is GLP-1 agonist adoption changing ingredient demand at Ingredion?
The surge in GLP-1 use has intensified demand for nutrient-dense foods, pushing Ingredion to develop formulations that deliver protein, fiber, and digestive-health support in single products. This shift is driving their portfolio expansion beyond single-benefit solutions toward multi-functional ingredient systems.
Which Ingredion solution addresses clean-label and speed-to-market simultaneously?
The FUSERAR clean-label smoothie solution cuts sugar content, reduces cost-in-use, and accelerates development timelines while preserving fruit flavor and mouthfeel. It's designed for customers who need both regulatory simplicity and faster commercialization.
What sweetening approach is Ingredion using in its protein bite prototype?
The Indulgent Chocolate Protein Bite uses allulose to deliver 85% less sugar while maintaining indulgent taste and texture. Allulose provides the sweetness profile consumers expect without the blood-sugar impact that conflicts with GLP-1 positioning.
Where can buyers see Ingredion's full formulation portfolio at SupplySide?
Ingredion is exhibiting at booth #3457 at SupplySide Global 2026. The company is emphasizing co-creation workshops where formulators can explore how Ingredion's consumer insights and broad portfolio address specific product development challenges.
