ERLANGER, Ky. — Protein has been a key focus throughout 2025 and into 2026, but consumers are also prioritizing other nutritional targets, including sodium and sugar reduction, clean-label ingredient panels and natural colors and flavors. As consumer focus on ingredient formulation and clean-label innovation continues to grow, agribusiness and food processing corporation ADM hosted a small group of media professionals at its global flavor headquarters in Erlanger, Ky., for a facility tour, taste test and culinary deep dive.

At the start of the tour, ADM provided an overview of the top trends driving reformulation in North America: consumer demand, government and regulatory changes and GLP-1 use, leading to changing eating patterns and nutritional needs.

With such strong demand for ingredient reformulation, ADM identified the five key pillars of reformulation: less sugar, less sodium, more protein, optimized fat and cleaner labels. The company is guided by these five pillars to explore industry reformulation needs.

While demand for clean-label innovation and nutrition-forward formulation continues to rise, the removal and substitution of ingredients like sodium and sugar introduces new complications for not only flavor, but texture, structure and mouthfeel as well.

During the taste test at the Erlanger facility, ADM staff guided the attendees through comparisons of reformulated products, exploring how reformulation can change sensory perception of foods and beverages compared to their traditional counterparts. The test aimed to show how ingredient customization can help avoid or minimize these changes in taste, texture, aroma and mouthfeel.

The taste test featured four of the five pillars: less sodium, less sugar, more protein and clean labels. The innovations from ADM captured some of the latest consumer trends, including a dirty soda, cognitive-enhancing beverage, tribiotic soda and a GLP-1 companion brownie.

Sodium reduction is a major initiative for ADM; Americans consume an average of 50% more sodium than the recommended amount. With consumers increasingly focused on nutrition goals like sodium reduction, formulators now more than ever before have to explore alternatives to sodium in formulation. Sodium supports flavor, taste, functionality, moisture control, shelf life and activation of other ingredients.

Health and wellness goals are also driving interest in sugar reduction, as 8 in 10 consumers are looking to limit or reduce sugar from their diets. ADM noted that formulators not only have to replace sweetness, but rebalance flavor and rebuild functionality.

Protein fortification continues to expand across categories, from cereals to beverages. ADM said that 32% of new food and beverage launches feature protein and at least one health claim, reinforcing how nutrition and health demands are driving innovation.

ADM's Protein-Enhanced Bagel. Courtesy of ADM

While high protein content has been the primary focus during this initial “boom” for the protein category, consumers and industry alike are examining how protein quality compares to quantity.

While cleaner labels are sought after by many consumers, there is no formal definition for “clean label.” ADM defines the term as recognizable ingredients for consumers. The clean-label reformulation pillar includes natural colors and flavors, a major focus area for ADM. According to a 2025 Innova Trends Survey, 37% of US consumers are avoiding artificial food colorings.

Courtesy of ADM

ADM added that 61% of US confectionery consumers are willing to compromise on appearance as a reformulation tradeoff, reinforcing the growth trajectory for natural colors and flavors.

The industry challenge for color reformulation lies in supply consistency and raw material volumes and capacity. To address this challenge, ADM relies on long-term partners with farmers and growers.

To further the company’s work in flavor and ingredient customization, ADM invests in local capabilities, with Customer Creation and Innovation Centers across the country. In 2025, ADM invested $15 million to expand its Customer Creation and Innovation Center in Erlanger. In January 2026, the company announced an additional $26 million investment in the same facility, representing a 40% increase in capabilities to improve raw material handling efficiency. The company calls the investment a next-generation upgrade focused on both automation and digitalization.

The investment is ongoing, supporting multiple digitalization, automated technology and integrated process upgrades. The move supports vertical integration for ADM to increase capacity, delivery, supply and consistency of its naturally derived color and flavor solutions.