functional food product development
                     How to get started 
with reverse 
engineering of food 
products? 
An Academic presentation by
Dr. Nancy Agnes, Head, Technical Operations, 
FoodResearchLab
Group: www.foodresearchlab.com
Email: [email protected]
WHAT IS REVERSE 
ENGINEERING? 
• Reverse engineering, also known as back engineering, is a 
process of obtaining knowledge from a manufactured product 
and developing one with similar characteristics. 
• In the food and beverage industries, reverse engineering is also 
called deformulation. 
• By reverse engineering, food manufacturing start-ups can learn 
how a product is made and update an existing product that 
meets consumer requirements. 
• The food industry must develop food products that are convenient, 
tasty, affordable, and meet regulatory requirements. 
• For this purpose, they must consider the traditional methods of food 
product development and food processing techniques and reformulate 
them by reverse engineering. 
• Food reverse engineering also helps to reduce potential risks. 
• In addition, reverse engineering also helps in the formulation of vegan 
products that mimic the organoleptic properties of animal-based or 
dairy products, like vegan milk and cheese. 
STEPS INVOLVED IN REVERSE 
ENGINEERING OF FOOD PRODUCTS
The following are the steps involved in the reverse engineering of food products:
• Choose a food product you want to reverse engineer 
The product may be formulated by a competitor or one that is successful, but 
you want to create a product specific to a target audience.
• Obtain information specific to the product 
Begin this process by obtaining multiple samples of the product. 
Study the components of the product by examining the food 
product label, packaging, and ingredients.
• Recreate the food product 
After thoroughly analyzing the ingredients, the product can be 
recreated by using varying proportions of the ingredients to 
obtain a similar appearance, taste, and texture. 
• Test the product and make any changes if necessary
While recreating the product, test it for its sensory properties and 
nutritional profile.
• Document the procedures
Take notes of the manufacturing process involved in reverse 
engineering. Doing so will help you develop subsequent batches of the 
food products efficiently.
• Validate the results
Compare the product with the original product from which you have 
reverse engineered. Conduct sensory evaluation to determine the 
likeness and quality of your reverse-engineered food product [1]. 

CONCLUSION 
• Reverse engineering involves gathering knowledge from an existing 
product by analysing its ingredients and nutritional profile and 
developing a similar one. 
• Reverse engineering food products makes them more consumer-friendly 
in terms of pricing and food quality and ensures they meet the 
food regulations. 
• The steps include selecting the product, analyzing the ingredients and 
nutritional profile, product recreation, testing, documentation, and 
validation. 
• These steps help in developing a reverse-engineered product.  
HOW THE FOOD RESEARCH LAB CAN HELP 
• We are a team of food technologists and scientists offering food product development services. 
• We help in new food product development, functional food product development, and reformulating 
an existing product by reverse engineering. 
• We also provide food product development ideas for our clients that help them develop a broad 
range of food products like millet food products, novel food products, and natural food products. 
• We also evaluate the food products for their quality, nutritional profile, and sensory characteristics 
and ensure the products developed are successful. 
CONTACT US
UNITED KINGDOM
+44- 161 818 
4656
INDIA
+91 9566299022
EMAIL
[email protected]