The food & beverage landscape is rapidly evolving in the direction of health, wellness, and transparency. As the demand for better-for-you products comes from both consumers and the government alike, the FDA recently issued a new set of regulations to label a product as “healthy” with a set compliance date of February 25, 2028. The new requirements include specific limits on added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat that brands must follow in order to make health claims on their products.

At Jogue, we have observed this change in the industry first-hand as requests for eye-catching artificial colors and synthetic flavors are at an all-time low. Because of this, we’ve assisted several of our customers to seamlessly transition to the demand for better-for-you foods (that actually taste good)!

In this month’s report, our team of flavor experts share our favorite clean-label flavor solutions to help develop food & beverage products that fit into the dynamic health food landscape of 2025.

Accessible Nutrition Solutions

There is a growing emphasis on making healthy food accessible to all. This includes affordable, nutrient-dense options and initiatives to address food deserts and improve food security. The food & beverage industry can respond to this consumer need through the development of more ready-to-eat CPG products with flavors that are not only approachable but fun!

At Jogue, we offer a wide range of exciting flavors created with natural components and premium ingredients. We recommend adding our natural flavors to any better-for-you product to enhance the flavor to make nutrient-dense foods and beverages accessible. A few of our favorite applications include:

• Natural Passionfruit Punch Sparkling Water
• Sugar Cookie Herbal Tea
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Air-Popped Popcorn
• Honey Barbecue Flavored Black Beans
• White Chocolate Flavored Peanut Butter

Salt & Sugar Reduction Solutions

Consumers are becoming more conscious of their salt and sugar intake. Food brands are responding by developing products with reduced salt and sugar content, without compromising on taste. The secret: Natural Salt Enhancers, Bitterness Maskers, and Natural Sweetness Enhancers.

Taste is the least understood of our five senses. It’s a complex mashup of chemical receptors, neuron networks, and biological reactions that lead to the highly individualized sense of taste. With that said, Food Scientists have been able to crack the general code on the perfect ratio of salt and sugar to add into ultra-processed foods to impart an addictive quality. Until recently, it was obvious when either salt or sugar was reduced in a recipe. Now, we can use natural enhancing and masking products to make healthier formulations taste almost as great as the original product.

As much as we have yet to discover about the chemistry of taste, our state-of-the-art research & development labs have developed powerful solutions made from natural ingredients that offset bland or bitter flavors in better-for-you foods. Flavor enhancers trigger both evolutionary and emotional components of taste. Sodium and glutamate, for example, are both critical to cellular function. If salt is reduced with added MSG, our brain may not even perceive the lower sodium content since the same biological response is activated by adding a glutamate source.

Protein & Fiber Solutions

Protein and fiber-rich diets are gaining popularity due to their numerous health benefits, including improved digestive health, better blood sugar control, and reduced cholesterol levels. Food brands are innovating with protein and fiber-enriched snacks, beverages, and meal replacements to meet the growing demand.

However, the idea of sneaking protein and fiber sources into food & beverage products is easier said than done. Many clean-label protein and fiber ingredients impart off-putting flavors and textures. As a solution, our team of flavor experts can work with you one-on-one to develop flavors available at a wide range of concentration levels to ensure that your healthier food or beverage will be a repeat purchase for your customers. A few of our favorite applications include:

• S’mores Protein Bar
• Fudge Brownie Overnight Oats
• Smoked Gouda Cheese Chickpea Pasta
• Strawberry Shortcake Greek Yogurt
• Red Velvet Protein Shake