TraceGains Launches AI-Powered Formulation Platform for Food Scientists

TraceGains has introduced Formula AI, a new artificial intelligence-powered laboratory and workspace designed to help food scientists and product developers streamline formulation, sourcing, and compliance activities.

The company said the platform integrates formulation tools with supplier and ingredient intelligence, compliance data, and collaborative workflows in a single digital environment. Built specifically for the food and beverage sector, Formula AI is intended to support research and development teams as they work to shorten product development cycles and navigate increasingly complex nutritional, sustainability, and regulatory requirements.

According to TraceGains, the platform addresses a common challenge across the food industry, where many manufacturers continue to rely on fragmented systems and manual processes despite increasing investment in innovation. The company estimates that while 83% of food and beverage brands are increasing spending on new product development, only 2% have fully digitized their processes.

Formula AI allows users to generate and refine product formulations based on defined parameters, including ingredient preferences, nutrition targets, sustainability objectives, processing requirements, and regulatory constraints. By connecting directly with the TraceGains supplier and ingredient network, the platform is designed to help developers reduce formulation iterations, accelerate sourcing decisions, and shorten the time between concept development and commercial production.

“Formula AI represents a fundamental shift in how food innovation happens by embedding AI directly into the R&D process,” said John Thorpe, Senior Director, Product Management, TraceGains. “We’ve dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for AI and given food scientists the ability to move faster, make smarter decisions, and bring better products to market with confidence.”

For industrial bakeries and ingredient suppliers, digital formulation tools are becoming increasingly relevant as manufacturers seek to develop products that meet evolving consumer expectations around clean label formulations, nutrition, and sustainability while maintaining operational efficiency.

TraceGains said Formula AI forms part of its broader strategy to modernize product development through connected data, automation, and AI-driven decision-making. The solution is currently available as an Alpha release, with the company inviting food and beverage manufacturers to participate in its early-adopter programme.

The platform will also be demonstrated at the 2026 Esko World conference, where TraceGains plans to showcase AI-powered workflows spanning product and packaging development.