Ingredients which we use for our product plays a major role in marketing the product. There are number of considerations when selecting an ingredient for developing a food product which includes availability, seasonality, suppliers, cost, legal issues and food labelling, allergens, diet suitability and specifications.
1) Availability : Conduct research whether the ingredient can be easily sourced to your work place and if they are available in local market.
2) Seasonality : Check in case the ingredients you use is seasonal or will they be available in all peak condition of an year. The consistency of your product dependents on the ingredients you use.
3) Suppliers : Ensure for registered suppliers who can provide you with the quantity and quality of ingredients you require
4) Legal issues and labelling : Food Labelling requirements are extensive and its mandatory that the ingredients are listed correctly and you should confirm that the ingredients used in the product are fully traceable. Even for a basic ingredient you should be clear with the following accountable like colour, flavour, sweeteners, acidulants, gelling agents, phosphate, fat replacers, herbs, preservatives, enzymes, emulsifiers and functional ingredients.
Example : Check for sulphur content in sugar, check for gluten content in wheat flour.
5) Cost : Scrutinize the ingredients based on their cost. This may also be helpful for the cost cutting of your product.
6) Allergens : Any ingredient that are liable to cause intolerances are an important consideration when choosing your ingredient. Choosing ingredients that are intended to be in allergen list will ultimately limit your consumer market of the product
7) Diet suitability : Select ingredients for the product such that you can extend or target market that takes different dietary preferences into account.
8) Specification : It is very important to obtain the specification for all the ingredients used in your product and to store them in proper condition which will ensure that the product is made out of quality ingredients.
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