ITASCA, Ill. – June 23, 2025 – Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. (AHN) has announced the launch of two new solution platforms – Salt Answer and Palate Perfect – designed to help food manufacturers meet evolving demands for sodium reduction, taste enhancement and formulation efficiency. These launches underscore AHN’s continued leadership in addressing industry challenges with science-driven, consumer-informed innovation.
“These platforms are the result of ongoing conversations with our customers that range from global brands to fast-growing food innovators, all looking for better ways to meet consumer expectations without sacrificing performance or flavor,” said Ryan Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. “Salt Answer and Palate Perfect represent the next evolution in Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition’s commitment to practical, scalable solutions that reflect the realities of product development today.”
Salt Answer: Sodium Reduction Without Tradeoffs
As regulatory pressure and consumer awareness continue to push for lower sodium levels, Salt Answer offers manufacturers a solution that reduces sodium by up to 30% without compromising taste.
Backed by proprietary umami and kokumi technologies, the Salt Answer portfolio includes four new ingredients tailored to specific product categories:
- Salt Answer S: Flavor complexity with sodium reduction for snacks, sauces and baked goods
- Salt Answer CZ: Cheese flavor enhancement for sauces, seasonings and snacks
- Salt Answer DR-CR: Flavor balance in creamy dressings, sauces and snacks
- Salt Answer DR-AC: Performance in acidic applications like vinaigrettes and dips
These blends offer high-impact flavor at low usage rates, allowing brands the opportunity to achieve production efficiency while meeting global and regional flavor expectations.
Palate Perfect: Elevating Taste While Reducing Ingredient Volatility
Created in response to increasing volatility in ingredient supply chains and the need for refined sensory profiles, Palate Perfect helps formulators enhance flavor, mask off-notes and reduce reliance on high-cost ingredients, without diminishing consumer appeal.
The first product in the platform, Palate Perfect FL-TM, delivers a rich, fresh tomato taste using AHN’s fermentation-based flavor technology and expertise. It enables partial or complete replacement of tomato powder or puree in soups, sauces, dressings, snacks, salsa, beverages and globally inspired seasonings.
“With Palate Perfect, we’re helping manufacturers manage ingredient risk, improve flavor consistency and stay competitive in a market that demands both creativity and cost control,” Smith said.
Learn More at IFT FIRST 2025
Attendees of IFT FIRST (July 14-16 in Chicago) are invited to visit AHN at Booth S820 to explore Salt Answer, Palate Perfect and more ingredient innovations. Highlights include:
- “The YOUMAMI Experience,” a digital quiz that matches attendees with a custom umami-forward seasoning blend
- “Umami Pop,” a ramen-inspired popcorn highlighting AHN’s culinary and technical creativity
- Opportunities to engage with AHN’s technical, culinary and regulatory experts
With deep roots in amino acid science and a collaborative approach to problem solving, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition is more than an ingredient supplier—it is a strategic partner helping brands overcome formulation challenges and accelerate innovation.
To learn more about Salt Answer and Palate Perfect, visit www.ajihealthandnutrition.com or contact Meghan Konrad at konradm@ajiusa.com.
About Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, a global leader in the research, development, manufacture and sale of amino acid-based products for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, sports nutrition, health and beauty industries, as well as food ingredients. The company opened its first U.S. office in New York in 1917 and has since grown and expanded its presence, establishing offices and production facilities in North Carolina, Iowa and Illinois. Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. leverages an international manufacturing, supply and distribution chain to bring the highest-grade products to customers. For additional information on Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., please visit http://www.ajihealthandnutrition.com.
