The Science of AI-Enabled Formulation

Product formulation in food is a multi-step process of recipe development and formula optimisation.

It must balance quality, nutrition, cost and consumer preferences that keep shifting.

Australian shoppers are looking more closely at what’s on the pack, and regulation is moving in the same direction. In February 2026, food ministers directed FSANZ to make the Health Star Rating mandatory. The Healthy Food Partnership’s Reformulation Program has also set targets for sodium, saturated fat and sugar across key categories. Consumers want better nutrition, but they won’t give up taste or texture to get it. They expect the same eating experience from healthier ingredients and shorter, cleaner ingredient lists.

For manufacturers, this means reformulating to cut sugar, salt and saturated fat and to remove preservatives and artificial colours. The hard part is keeping the original sweetness, mouthfeel and texture. Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements and cost pressure add to the challenge. In a $173 billion industry where capital investment is tightening, brands can’t afford to rely on trial and error. To bring healthier, more sustainable products to market faster, they need a smart, data-driven formulation strategy powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Perfect Formulation is a powerful solution for formulation optimisation and product development. Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ AI‑enabled capabilities, it enables food scientists to rapidly iterate and refine their ideal formulations using advanced predictive modelling. This allows teams to quickly identify the most efficient and optimal recipes to meet specific product goals.

Formulation management software like the 3DEXPERIENCE platform empowers manufacturers to deliver sustainable, cost-compliant and quality products. Powered by AI technology and data science, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables teams to improve lab efficiency through centralised product data management, electronic lab notebook (ELN) integration and in-silico modelling to test formulation changes virtually. It is an essential tool for manufacturers to perform stability testing, extend product shelf life, and navigate complex regulatory requirements to optimise formulations and accelerate time to market.

With intelligent AI indicators, formulation scientists can develop products that deliver stronger consumer acceptance, enhanced nutritional value, and confident regulatory compliance, ensuring formulations are market‑ready faster than ever.