Jul 19, 2010 --- International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) has introduced in Europe a new range of 2011-EU-compliant natural flavors for beef and chicken which are based on gold standard culinary benchmarks created by Certified Master Chef Florian Webhofer. 

The early introduction of these new profiles enables food companies to accelerate development of products that comply with the new legislation and provide both the high culinary standards and the more natural profiles demanded by consumers. At the same time, these innovative flavors expand IFF’s portfolio of Health and Wellness offerings.

“The new regulations present a challenge to the entire food industry in Europe, and IFF is well aware that some of the essential flavor ingredients presently in use for beef and chicken flavors will no longer be considered natural when the new laws take effect in January 2011,” said Jos Muilwijk, IFF Head of Global Savory Category Management. “Our objective was to match the culinary-driven chicken flavors introduced by IFF in 2008 and the authentic beef flavors unveiled in 2009 and do so quickly to enable customers to meet the 2011 deadline.”

IFF established a team consisting of flavorists, R&D, sensory and consumer insights, regulatory, analytical and marketing experts, process engineers, and global procurement professionals to develop this portfolio of new, natural flavor ingredients. “While technically challenging, particularly in a short time frame, this achievement demonstrates IFF’s ability to focus on and create timely solutions for needs that are important to our customers,” said Marcus Pesch, Technical Category Director for Savory.  

The innovative collection of culinary-benchmarked chicken flavors encompasses high-impact, very clean flavor profiles for boiled white meat, boiled dark meat, roast chicken, grilled chicken and fatty skin.  New IFF beef flavors include rare, marrow bone, boiled, roast, grilled and stewed profiles. “IFF’s ability to identify local taste preferences enabled us to develop specific beef and chicken flavor profiles that match the needs of European palates,” noted Touran Cheraghi-Kroon, Director of Creative & Applications, Innovation Europe/Africa/Middle East.  “In addition, the creation of these delicious, natural flavors enhances our very important and extensive portfolio of Health and Wellness solutions.”

These flavor options will allow customers to maintain and protect their brand values while they remain natural-compliant. The savory flavors are ideal for applications that include soups, sauces, bouillons, gravies, marinades, noodles, quick service foods, frozen foods and more.

“When IFF initially brought together its extensive global resources to develop chicken and then beef flavors based on gold standard culinary benchmarks, it raised the bar for these natural flavors in the industry. These were ‘game changing products’ and we wanted to be sure that we could maintain the same high standards for our customers when the new EU regulations take effect. We believe the new flavor portfolio does just that,” Muilwijk added.