Changes in the food product development process

Product development is a part of business strategy as well as a research method in the food industry. The product development strategy is the starting point for both the continuous improvement of a product and the introduction of a new product. The research method has evolved through periods of technical and then marketing domination into one that is coordinated and multidisciplinary, and focused on the ultimate consumer in the product development process. In the future, because of the pressures of consumer concerns, of total quality management and of the economic needs in the food industry, the product development process needs to become more focused, quantitative, rapid and knowledge based.