Beyond the Bar: Innovation Strategies for a Shifting Market

Originally Aired on November 5, 2025

The bar aisle is brimming with possibilities—and today’s consumers are more curious and discerning than ever. As expectations rise around flavor, texture, and ingredient transparency, brands have a unique chance to reimagine what a bar can be. This webinar explores the dynamic evolution of the bar category, especially protein bars, and reveals how thoughtful innovation can help your brand rise above the noise and truly connect with consumers.

Join Eurofins Product Development & Innovation as we unpack the latest trends from whole-food formulations and novel protein sources to functional ingredients and alternative positioning strategies. Learn how to navigate technical challenges while crafting bars that deliver on taste, texture, and purpose. Whether you're a startup founder or part of an established R&D team, this webinar will equip you with actionable insights to create bars that consumers both crave and remember.

Key Takeaways:

Consumer Insights: Understand current consumer insights on bars in market
Trend Spotting: Explore emerging trends like pantry-style ingredients, plant-based proteins, and mood-boosting formulations.
Technical Know-How: Learn how to overcome formulation challenges like bar hardening, oil separation, and protein-fat balance.
Strategic Positioning: Discover how refrigerated/frozen formats and nostalgic or savory flavors can help your brand stand out.

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Meet the Presenters

Brent Fairbrother

Product Development Project Leader | Eurofins Product Development & Innovation

Brent Fairbrother has been an integral member of Eurofins Product Development & Innovation (EPDI) for over 18 years. Throughout his tenure at EPDI he has partnered with companies of all sizes, guiding them from early stage innovations to successful commercialization. His passion lies in helping businesses identify and develop the perfect products for their needs and customers.

When he is not in the labs innovating, he enjoys spending quality time with his two sons and taking advantage of the many activities upstate New York has to offer, such as skiing or cycling on the scenic roads.

Meghan Houseworth

Food Scientist | Eurofins Product Development & Innovation

Meghan Houseworth is a Food Scientist at Eurofins – Product Development and Innovation Group (EPDI), where she has worked for over five years. She specializes in bar development, supporting projects through formulation, ingredient sourcing, shelf-life studies, and scale-up trials. Meghan has experience across a wide range of product formats and plays a key role in research and development initiatives. She holds a bachelor's degree in food science & technology from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in the same field from Oregon State University.