A method for the production of a bacterial cellulose-containing formulation that lacks a carboxymethyl cellulose component. The method includes providing a bacterial cellulose product, mixing the bacterial cellulose product with a polymeric thickener and/or a precipitation agent, lysing the bacterial cells from the bacterial cellulose product or the mixture of the bacterial cellulose product and the polymeric thickener or precipitation agent, and co-precipitating the resultant mixture with a water-miscible non-aqueous liquid. The resultant bacterial cellulose formulation includes at least one bacterial cellulose material and at least one polymeric thickener. The bacterial cellulose formulation, may be used in food compositions.