dsm-firmenich is calling on the medical nutrition industry to rethink one of the most overlooked drivers of patient acceptance and adherence: sensory experience. Through its global flavor and taste modulation solutions portfolio designed specifically for medical nutrition innovation, the company is helping manufacturers integrate sensory experience alongside nutritional science from the earliest stages of product development.
Why patient experience matters
Delivering both nutritional performance and an enjoyable experience remains a challenge in medical nutrition product design. Many functional ingredients can introduce bitterness, metallic notes, lingering aftertaste, fishy taste and smell, or undesirable mouthfeel – all of which can make products harder for patients to consume consistently. In fact, poor taste is the number one reason for medical nutrition discontinuation.1 further research highlights the scale of the opportunity: more than half (56%) of medical nutrition users say products could taste better; and 41% call for wider variety of flavor options.2 These findings underline the critical need to reframe taste as a practical barrier to acceptance and adherence of medical nutrition solutions, and ultimately clinical outcomes.
From need to enjoyment
dsm-firmenich’s broad flavor and taste modulation portfolio brings together the expertise and capabilities needed to address complex sensory challenges in medical nutrition. It combines patient and consumer insights with flavors developed specifically for clinical applications, proprietary taste modulation technologies such as ModulaSENSE®, cutting-edge receptor based sensory science, and optimized premix capabilities in one holistic offering designed specifically for medical nutrition. Highlights include breakthrough solutions proven to mask the fishy taste and smell associated with omega-3 ingredients,3 approaches that tackle ‘flavor fatigue’ and support greater patient empowerment, and smell-led concepts that may help stimulate appetite and improve eating experience by turning aroma into an adherence driver rather than a barrier.
Tom Pugh, Senior Director, Global Marketing Medical Nutrition, comments on this latest move: “Patients who rely on medical nutrition are often already navigating some of life’s most challenging moments. Getting the essential nutrition they need should never feel like an additional burden. By moving beyond masking and designing for the full sensory experience, we can help transform nutrition from something patients tolerate into something they actively choose and enjoy every day, supporting better adherence and better outcomes.”
Join dsm-firmenich’s symposium at the ESPEN Congress 2026
dsm-firmenich has the privilege to host a symposium entitled “The role of taste in medical nutrition: understanding sensory needs to improve nutritional outcomes” at the ESPEN Congress 2026, September 5-8, in Berlin, Germany. The session will explore some of the most pressing topics in modern medical nutrition innovation, including how sensory perception influences nutritional intake and adherence. The panel of experts will share insights and practical strategies to improve the acceptance and effectiveness of medical nutrition, especially for vulnerable patient groups, including oncology patients and older adults.
To find out more about dsm-firmenich’s mission to elevate nutritional care from need to enjoyment, visit here: https://www.dsm-firmenich.com/en/businesses/health-nutrition-care/products/flavors-and-taste-modulation/taste-solutions-for-medical-nutrition.html
References:
1 FMCG Gurus: Medical Nutrition survey series 2023. “You state that you didn’t complete the recommended course of your products. Why was this?”
2 FMCG Gurus: Medical Nutrition survey series 2023. “You state that you didn’t complete the recommended course of your products. Why was this?”
3 Using the combination of life’s®OMEGA O3020, ModulaSENSE® Marine, and optimal flavor profiles.
