Supermarket Perimeter - March 2021 - 55

R&D

* Solubility - dissolves faster
in liquids, which will create
a more evenly saturated
brine rather than having
excess salt settle at the
bottom, saving processing
time and resources.
* Blendability - blends more
effectively in foods, creating a
more consistent distribution
of ﬂavor, color, and minimizing
pockets of salty bursts.
* Flavor - provides a faster salty
ﬂavor burst by increasing
the rate of dissolution in the
mouth, potentially increasing
perceptions of saltiness.
This can achieve a potential
reduction in sodium and also
helps to enhance other ﬂavors.
* Texture - Delivers a smooth,
even consistency that can
have an undetected presence
in food. This is especially
valuable in food applications
where it's crucial to eliminate
grittiness and have a uniform
taste throughout.

Spice giant McCormick
adds to portfolio
Hunt Valley, Md.-based
McCormick & Company Inc.'s
purchase of FONA International,
LLC gives the spice giant new
resources in the areas of clean
and natural ﬂavors, providing
solutions for a diverse customer
base across various applications
for the food, beverage and
nutritional markets, according to
McCormick. McCormick acquired
the business for $710 million
in cash.
" The acquisition of FONA
reinforces McCormick's global
growth strategy as FONA
expands the breadth of our ﬂavor
solutions segment into attractive
categories, as well as extends
our technology platform and
strengthens our capabilities, " said
Lawrence Kurzius, McCormick's
chairman, president and CEO.

SPICES and HEALTH:
a retail marketing opportunity
By Jeff Gelski

" This acquisition also accelerates
the strategic migration of our
portfolio to more value-added
and technically insulated
products and thus, is expected to
be accretive to gross margin. "
FONA's portfolio, he added,
is highly complementary to
McCormick's and will provide
the company's customers with
an even more comprehensive
product offering to meet the
growing demand for clean and
ﬂavorful eating, drinking and
nutrition experiences.
" McCormick has a history
of creating value through
acquisitions, " Kurzius said. " As we
continue to build the McCormick
of the future and create longterm shareholder value, we are
conﬁdent this is a great strategic
ﬁt with our vision of being a
leading ﬂavor company. The
employees of FONA share with
McCormick a great history and
commitment to core values and
purpose, doing what is right
while driving industry leading
ﬁnancial performance, and we
look forward to welcoming them
to the McCormick family. "
Founded more than 30
years ago, FONA is a leading
independent manufacturer of
ﬂavors, with a focus on nutritional
and natural products and a wellrecognized brand that McCormick
plans to retain.
The company's headquarters
features a state-of-the art
manufacturing and technical
innovation center.
supermarketperimeter.com

Two trends related to COVID-19 may present
opportunities for herbs and spices. Consumers seeking
immunity beneﬁts might be interested in products
seasoned with garlic, ginger or turmeric.
A survey conducted by The Hartman Group, Bellevue,
Wash., in April found 19% of respondents already were
using functional foods for immunity reasons while
another 48% were interested. The percentages were 13%
and 46%, respectively, for functional beverages.
" In the current climate, consumers are looking to their
diet for simple ways to support their immune health, "
said Jill Houk, corporate research and development chef
at Olam Spices, which is part of Olam Food Ingredients,
a division of Olam International, Inc., Singapore. " For
this reason, herbs and spices with associated health
beneﬁts are in higher demand as they can be added to
a multitude of food to introduce depth of ﬂavor whilst
providing an additional health halo.
" Garlic, in particular, is well-known for its links to
immunity, so it is no surprise that garlic products are
on-trend at the moment. Spices such as turmeric, black
pepper and ginger have been shown to play a role in
healthy digestion and in helping to reduce inﬂammation. "
Peggy Castaldi, director of marketing for SupHerb
Farms, Turlock, Calif., cited turmeric sales having a oneyear growth rate of 18% and a four-year growth rate of
almost 200%, according to a Technomic survey of 1,000
consumers.
" Sixty-one percent of consumers are willing to try
new herbs and spices that they are unfamiliar with if they
have functional health beneﬁts, and 59% enjoy herbs
and spices because of the functional health beneﬁts they
provide, " she said.
Garlic and ginger are on-trend, said Gary Augustine,
director of marketing for Van Drunen Farms,
Momence, Ill.
" They both offer well-known associations with health
beneﬁts, and their versatility and distinct ﬂavor proﬁles
add premiumization to food and beverages, " he said.
" Fire-roasted garlic is making its mark in dips, sauces and
prepared meals - even combined with chocolate - while
ginger continues to see its strongest growth in beverages
such as teas, beers and ciders. "

MARCH 2021 - 55

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Supermarket Perimeter - March 2021

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