# Mini Episode: Flavors, Formulators & Fast Turnarounds with Ian Haworth, FlavorSum

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-11
- Length: 13m
- Episode: 273
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-11-mini-episode-flavors-formulators-fast-turnarounds-with-ian-haworth-flavorsum
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a05d910b

## Summary

Ian Haworth, Business Development Director at FlavorSum, explains how the North American custom flavor manufacturer supports growing food and beverage brands and formulators. He details FlavorSum's 'solutions model,' which integrates marketing insights, regulatory affairs, and sensory analysis, and highlights their rapid turnaround times of 24–48 hours for samples and pricing. The conversation covers the distinction between off-the-shelf and custom flavors, the importance of retailer compliance for stores like Whole Foods, and strategies for mitigating supply chain disruptions related to raw material shortages.

## Outline

1. Introduction: FlavorSum and the Product Developer Directory
2. Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Flavors
3. The FlavorSum Solutions Model and Amazon-like Experience
4. Tech-to-Tech Sessions and Rapid Development
5. Retailer Compliance and Supply Chain Resilience

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- FlavorSum (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Trader Joe's (company)
- Startup CPG Product Developer Directory (product)
- FlavorSum Access (product)

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## Citing this page

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