ADM upgrades Erlanger facility to meet surging reformulation demands

ADM has invested US$26 million in its Erlanger facility in Kentucky, US, bolstering its capabilities to meet what it calls significant demand for reformulation in the food and beverage landscape. The growing demand for product reformulation is driven by changing regulations and consumer health and nutrition concerns.

New health regulations, driven by US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement, have spurred investment in natural, clean label products and ingredient traceability.

The company’s research shows that over 80% of US consumers favor reformulation, with 52% saying it is a must for brands, and 63% preferring that brands reformulate existing products to align with better-for-you positioning.

The investment in Erlanger – ADM’s flagship flavors facility in the US – will help customers meet these consumer expectations by increasing the capacity, supply, and consistency of the company’s naturally derived color and flavor solutions.

The upgrades will include a 3,600-square-foot expansion of an existing facility on the Erlanger campus, representing a 40% increase in capabilities to create efficiencies in raw material handling. The site will also see multiple digitalization, automated technology, and integrated process upgrades.

This investment builds on a US$15 million upgrade at the site in 2025, resulting in a 7,200-square-foot expansion of the Customer Creation and Innovation Center, where ADM co-creates solutions for taste, flavor, and color across F&B categories with its customers.

“Our dedication to scaling our innovative solutions for customers, both in the US and globally, coincides with shifting consumer preferences and changing regulatory guidelines, impacting all facets of food and beverage product development,” says Ian Pinner, president of ADM’s Nutrition business.

“These enhanced capabilities at our Erlanger facility support our customers in navigating regulatory compliance and achieving consumer acceptance through reformulating for sensory and nutritional optimization.”

ADM has identified five key pillars driving product reformulation:

Cleaner label – Removing and replacing artificial ingredients, including petroleum-based dyes and certain sweeteners, with ingredients and colors derived from natural sources. Globally, 70% of consumers gravitate toward products that contain ingredients they recognize, and 58% look for products with the shortest ingredient lists, according to ADM.

Less sugars – Providing options for consumers focused on sugar and calorie reduction, while also maintaining mouthfeel and structural properties through quality sweeteners and flavor modulation solutions. ADM has found that 83% of consumers across regions intentionally avoid or reduce sugar in their diets.

Added protein – Providing nutrient-dense options through diverse protein content from plant proteins, beans, pulses, ancient grains, and seeds without compromising the sensory experience. The company says the majority of global consumers (66%) seek to increase their protein intake.

Less sodium – Adapting to proposed levels of sodium content, while retaining consumer-preferred tastes by leveraging savory flavors and flavor modulation tools. Globally, 57% of consumers look to minimize their intake of salt or sodium, finds ADM.

Optimized fat – Addressing demand for different types of fats or oils in consumers’ favorite products through optimized fat and oil systems that also support indulgent sensory attributes. In the US, consumers are interested in products with reduced saturated fats (45%), according to ADM.

At Fi Europe 2025, ADM’s Clara Faustina, product manager for Sweet Food Human Nutrition, shared how the company’s 2026 Flavor & Color Trends are reshaping product reformulation, from clean label challenges to balancing bold taste and authentic well-being.