*fighting faking of product
By MATTHEW UKACHUNWA Lagos
Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Ltd. has disclosed that its regulatory team is fighting to prevent the faking of its Ajinomoto seasoning brand.
A communication officer of the firm, Francisca Ikediasi, stated this in Lagos, while confirming that the product is approved by Nigeria’s regulatory agencies like National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).
“The fake of the product has been really where our problem lies and we are fighting it by our regulatory team,” Ikediasi assured consumers.
She said Ajinomoto has been generally recognized as safe around the world.
The Ajinomoto chief said the composition of Ajinomoto seasoning is Umami, the essence of taste.
Ikediasi stated that Ajinomoto is a monosodium glutamate product, a form of Umami.
“Umami is not sweet, not bitter, not sour, not salty, but delicious, the fifth taste.” Basic taste is no longer four, it is now five, she emphasized, adding that Ajinomoto is used all over the world to promote deliciousness.
According to her, Ajinomoto, a flavour enhancer, is considered “a healthy alternative to taking salt” in meals.
The company also showed concern over excessive salt intake of Nigerians which exposes people to health problems.
According to Ikediasi, the flavour enhancer is a monosodium glutamate product which is considered as a healthy alternative to the use of salt in food.
The Ajinomoto spokesperson expressed concern about intake of salt and the incidences of high blood pressure (HBP).
Ikediasi declared, “The average salt intake of a Nigerian per day is over 80 grammes. And then what does WHO (World Health Organization) recommend – 5 grammes per person per day. So these are things that promote high blood pressure that doctors have been talking about.”
She stressed that Ajinomoto is trying to provide solution to excessive consumption of salt.
Ajinomoto is produced from sugar cane fermentation and extraction of its juice, Ikediasi explained, and pointed out that there are naturally occurring vitamins in Ajinomoto.
Managing Director of Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Noriyuki Ogushi, was on 20th December 2022 conferred with an Award of Excellence by Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN).
The award is designed to recognize individuals and corporate organizations that have distinguished themselves in the heath sector and have also supported the growth of health journalism.
