Cracking the Code: Overcoming Challenges in Plant-Based Product Development

Consumers are redefining what they expect from food. They want protein alternatives that support their health and wellness goals, provide variety and novelty in their diets, align with their sustainability values, and—above all—taste great. 

For food manufacturers, meeting these expectations while speeding up new product development requires more than just ingredient substitution. It demands strategic innovation, the smart use of emerging technologies, and foresight to anticipate where the market is heading. 

Despite rapid growth, many plant-based products still struggle to meet consumer expectations. Taste, texture, and functionality of plant-based foods often lag behind their animal-based counterparts, like non-dairy cheese that still lacks desirable melt and crisping profiles. Production costs and scalability issues remain additional barriers. 

To stay competitive, manufacturers must deliver short-term wins through products that consumers enjoy today, while also investing in long-term capabilities that will fuel innovation and differentiation in the years ahead. What are the strategic opportunities where diligent research and targeted investments will pay dividends in the future? 

Taste remains non-negotiable. Consumers are becoming more open to plant-forward foods, but flavor and mouthfeel continue to drive purchase decisions. 

The future of plant-based products isn’t just about imitation. It’s about exceeding the quality, nutrition, and sensory experience of animal-based foods. Advances in processing technologies, enzymatic modification, and ingredient blending are already helping brands close today’s performance gaps. 

Achieving cost and nutritional parity, however, will require sustained innovation across the ecosystem of plant-based ingredients.  

Processing methods that modify plant proteins’ physical and chemical properties are rapidly improving. Grains and pulses (chickpeas, lentils, etc.) may dominate today, but innovations are unlocking the potential of oats, algae, and canola as next-generation protein sources. 

Emerging technologies, such as improved protein–fat interactions, novel plant fibers, and upcycled ingredients, are expanding functionality and sustainability benefits. However, access to these breakthroughs is increasingly limited, as companies on the cutting edge are securing patents and exclusive licenses. 

Strategic partnerships and early visibility into technology pipelines will be crucial in maintaining supply chain resilience and competitive advantage in plant-based ingredient development. 

Clients often ask how to make better strategic decisions amid uncertainty. RTI International’s foresight analysis helps companies look beyond the near term to understand how the food ecosystem is evolving and what that means for company portfolios, categories, and growth strategies. 

For example, our team’s insights indicate that consumers are passing down belief systems and food choices that could influence their children’s palates and future purchasing behaviors. Foresight helps companies understand these long-range cultural and behavioral shifts and plan for future demand by designing products that resonate for decades to come. 

RTI’s multidisciplinary team of innovation experts can help you:

• Identify emerging opportunities and unmet consumer needs
• Outline behavioral insights aligned with consumers’ purchase decisions
• Accelerate ideas from concept to market launch
• Gain traceability into the entire supply chain and model real-time changes based on tariffs, policies, climate, and other forces
• Build strategic partnerships that drive long-term growth
• Use foresight and technology scouting to de-risk innovation and stay ahead of change

Learn more about RTI’s food innovation solutions and sign up for The Growth Brief Newsletter to get insights in your inbox.