Givaudan Flavours Unveils Salt Reduction Flavour System

31/10/05 In commitment to its TasteSolutions for Health & Wellness programme, Givaudan Flavours has debuted a new, proprietary complex Salt Reduction flavour system that further contributes to the development of consumer-winning products.

“Givaudan's unrivalled commitment to taste modification research has significantly expanded our capabilities in TasteEssentials for Salt Reduction," said Hugo Felix, head of the Global Savoury Business Unit. "Applying scientific expertise in both biotechnology and botanical isolates, Givaudan has developed the capability to significantly improve the taste profile of foods that are reduced in sodium."

Food companies are striving to provide consumers with healthful foods, but know they must deliver mainstream taste and appeal. In mature markets, processed foods are now used on a daily basis and contribute more than 65% of dietary salt. Growing prosperity and modernization is driving demand for these convenience products in other countries around the world and elevated consumption levels of sodium are expected to be an escalating global health concern. The reduction of sodium in processed foods presents a major challenge for food developers. Salt plays an integral role, not only in taste, but also in providing attributes such as texture and mouthfeel. Thus, formulating to a lower sodium content is highly product specific.

The most effective means of reducing sodium by more than 25% is to replace sodium chloride with potassium chloride, or KCl. While KCl helps to maintain salty taste, it also contributes off-notes that many consumers find unpleasant. Givaudan's new, customized Natural Flavour System modifies off- notes exhibited by KCl and enhances the saltiness overall. According to Michael Stead, Global Savoury Product Manager at Givaudan, "these new flavour capabilities in the TasteEssentials(TM) for Salt Reduction programme will help food manufacturers address the consumer's growing desire for clean, consumer- friendly labelling, since they are globally natural, contain no major allergens, and are both Kosher and Halal."

Also, according to Stead, the Natural Flavour System allows Givaudan to offer flavours with non- characterizing taste profiles, such as the Natural Savoury Base Flavour, as well as flavours with specific profiles and characteristics. Either way, TasteEssentials(TM) for Salt Reduction flavours are effective across a multitude of products, including soups, bouillons, sauces, dressings, frozen ready meals, and salty snacks.