The Science of Indulgence: Protecting Pleasure in Wellness-Led Formulations

04 Jun 2026
The Flavour and Colour Lab
4th June Session 2: Flavour Innovation with Wellness Driven Formulations

This session explores why reducing sugar, fat or salt — or adding functional ingredients — so often erodes indulgence, and how flavour, texture, aroma and expectation work together to create pleasure. It shows how sensory science can be used to understand the limits of better-for-you reformulation, predict consumer response, and protect enjoyment in wellness-led food and drink products.

Chairperson
Mike Bagshaw
Mike Bagshaw, Founder - I.T.S. Tastes
Speakers
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford, Associate Professor in Sensory and Consumer Science - University of Nottingham