Making new food

Science
information
• Creating new food products is a challenging and
rewarding process that requires creativity, research,
and testing. Whether you are a food scientist, a chef,
or an entrepreneur, you need to generate ideas that
meet the needs and preferences of your target
market, while also being feasible, safe, and profitable.
In this article, you will learn some strategies and
techniques that can help you generate new food
product ideas.
2 Brainstorm possible solutions

• The next step is to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem or

the opportunity that you identified. This is where you can unleash
your creativity and generate as many ideas as possible, without
worrying about feasibility or practicality. You can use different
methods and tools to stimulate your brainstorming, such as mind
maps, word associations, analogies, or online idea generators. For
example, you might use a mind map to explore different
ingredients, flavors, formats, or benefits that your product could
offer, or you might use an analogy to compare your product to
something else that is familiar or appealing to your customers.
 4 Develop and test prototypes

• The final step is to develop and test prototypes of your

product ideas, which are tangible representations of your
concepts that can be evaluated by yourself and others. You
can use different materials and methods to create
prototypes, such as sketches, mock-ups, samples, or pilot
batches. You can also use different tools and techniques to
test prototypes, such as lab analysis, shelf-life testing,
consumer testing, or trial marketing. For example, you might
use sketches to illustrate the packaging and labeling of your
product, or you might use samples to conduct sensory
testing with a panel of consumers.
1 Identify a problem or an opportunity

• The first step to generate new food product ideas is to

identify a problem or an opportunity that your potential
customers face or desire. This can be based on your own
observations, market research, customer feedback, or
industry trends. For example, you might notice that there is a
gap in the market for a healthy, convenient, and tasty snack
for busy professionals, or that there is a growing demand for
plant-based alternatives to dairy products. By defining the
problem or the opportunity, you can narrow down your
focus and set a clear goal for your product.