From Concept to Launch: How FCI Flavors Supports Supplement Brands

In the competitive world of supplements, flavor isn’t just a finishing touch — it’s a deciding factor. Consumers demand products that work and taste great. At FCI Flavors, we help supplement brands bring winning products to life by offering full-spectrum flavor solutions designed for performance, taste, and speed-to-market.

Whether you’re a startup with a big idea or an established brand looking to reformulate or expand your line, here’s how we take your concept and help you bring it all the way to the shelf.

Step 1: Discovery & Brand Alignment

We start by understanding your vision — the product type, your target audience, and your brand identity. Are you building a high-performance pre-workout? A clean-label greens powder? A collagen product for wellness-focused women?

This stage includes:

• Understanding the functional ingredients in your formula

• Aligning on flavor profile goals (e.g., indulgent, refreshing, nostalgic, etc.)

• Discussing label considerations (natural vs. artificial, sweeteners, allergens, etc.)

Goal: Get clear on the product vision and flavor direction before touching the lab bench.

Step 2: Custom Flavor Development

Now the fun begins. Our R&D Staff begin working on custom flavor systems tailored to your specific formula — accounting for things like:

• Functional ingredients that bring bitterness or earthiness

• Sweetener systems (stevia, sucralose, monk fruit, etc.)

• Solubility and stability across various applications (RTM powders, gummies, beverages)

We don’t just develop flavors — we engineer them to work in the real world of supplements.

Step 3: Sample Iterations & Sensory Feedback

We send you samples to taste, test, and provide feedback on. This is where we collaborate closely to fine-tune everything from flavor intensity to sweetness levels, mouthfeel, and aftertaste.

Many clients use this stage to conduct:

• Internal team tastings

• Blind consumer panels

• Comparison to existing market products

We can usually nail a flavor in 1–3 rounds — but we won’t stop until it’s right.

Step 4: Scale-Up & Documentation

Once approved, we provide:

• Finalized flavor specs

• Flavor pricing

• Regulatory Documents

• Flavor usage rates per serving

• Carrier details and solubility info

We also coordinate with your co-manufacturer to make sure everything flows smoothly on their end, whether you’re blending powders or manufacturing gummies or RTDs.

Step 5: Ongoing Support & Line Expansion

We’re not just a flavor house — we’re your long-term innovation partner. Once your new SKU is a hit, we can help you expand the line with new flavor drops, seasonal rotations, or even reimagined formats (like stick packs, sachets, etc.).

We’ve helped countless brands go from first flavor launch to nationwide shelf presence, and we’re ready to help you do the same.

Let’s Build Something That Tastes Amazing

Flavor is the secret weapon of supplement success — and FCI Flavors is here to help you wield it. If you’re working on your next big idea (or struggling to make your current product taste fantastic), let’s talk.

📩 Contact us today at info@fciflavors.com or visit www.fciflavors.com to learn more.