Using Mediterranean Umami, a sodium-reduction ingredient, can help food manufacturers improve their Nutri-Score label, according to developer Salt of the Earth, Ltd. This clean-label ingredient product line consists of Mediterranean Umami powder and Mediterranean Umami liquid. Mediterranean Umami is derived from natural plant extracts rich in umami flavor compounds. The sodium scores can be improved by three to five points, depending on the type of product and specific formulation. In many cases, this can be enough to improve the overall letter score, notes the company.

Mediterranean Umami can reduce sodium up to 45 percent in a wide variety of products. It works especially well in processed meats and plant-based meat alternatives, condiments, sauces, ready-meals, and savory snacks, says the Israel-based company. 

Nutri-Score is a front-of-package (FOP) labeling system, also known as the 5-Colour Nutrition label or 5-CNL. It is based on scientific research by the French High Council for Public Health and created by the national public health agency, Santé Publique, France.

The new nutrition labeling system converts the nutritional value of products into a simple code consisting of five letters from A to E, with associated colors. Dark green and the letter A are attached to products with the best-rated nutritional quality, while dark orange and the letter E are attached to products with the lowest-rated nutritional quality. 

The Nutri-Score takes into account both “negative” characteristics of the food, such as calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium and “positive” characteristics of the food including fruit and vegetable content, fiber, and protein levels, condensing these into an easy-to-understand score.

“The Nutri-Score label is helping consumers make nutritious choices when filling their shopping baskets, and encouraging food producers to improve the nutritional value of their products,” explains David Hart, Business Unit Director for Salt of the Earth.

The Nutri-Score has been officially recommended by health authorities in France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain, as well as by the European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, multinational companies such as Nestlé S.A. and Danone S.A. are adopting the use of the Nutri-Score in markets in Europe.

“We have seen increased interest from customers seeking to improve the Nutri-Score of their products,” adds Hart. “Mediterranean Umami allows food manufacturers to significantly reduce the amount of sodium in their product, without compromising on flavor. It is an all-natural and clean-label solution, in line with consumer trends for simpler and easy-to-understand ingredients.”