WASCO Ajinomoto Reiterates Commitment to Healthy Living

…Unveils Helen Paul, Miyonse as brand ambassadors

Martins Ifijeh

West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO), an affiliate of the Ajinomoto Group; a global food giant and makers of Ajinomoto seasoning products has reiterated its commitment to healthy living, stating that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is good for consumption.

Speaking at the factory tour and unveiling of popular comedienne, Helen Paul and professional chef, Miyonse Amosu as ambassadors for Ajinomoto Umami seasoning, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Junichi Niki reaffirmed that the duo will be the new face of the brand connecting with consumers and deepening public awareness on the benefits of the brand.

“MSG, based on scientific findings, is 100 percent safe for consumption. For over a century now, MSG has been used to add Umami, the 5th basic taste, that enhances taste and make dishes more delicious since it was discovered in 1909. MSG is present in most natural foods such as meat, seafood, vegetable, cheese and milk. Umami is a universal taste.”

“As a food company, we have been in Nigeria since 1991 distributing nationwide. Over the years we have grown especially in the Northern area and so we want to renew our strength in the Southern areas of Nigeria to complement our efforts in the North, he added.

During his presentation, Mr. Isa Hassan Shallangwa, Head of Marketing at Ajinomoto, spoke on the global consumption of Ajinomoto Umami seasoning.

“According to the Longman dictionary, Umami is having a strong pleasant taste that is not sweet, sour, salty, or bitter, especially like the tastes found in meat, strong cheese and tomato. Umami taste is a member of the five basic tastes (alongside with sweetness, sourness, saltiness and bitterness”. The safety of umami substance has been approved by authorities all over the world such as in the USA, EU, Australia, Japan, and also by NAFDAC/Nigeria.

AJI-NO-MOTO® is produced through a natural fermentation process of sugar molasses which are obtained from plants such as sugar cane. The benefit of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami seasoning includes enhancing and promoting the deliciousness of our meals, it is economical, it reduces salt intake and it is rich in glutamate one of the free amino acids. Almost all seasoning contains MSG”. Shallangwa said.

He said Ajinomoto is the first MSG seasoning produced since 1909. “It is also the number one brand of Monosodium Glutamate (Umami Substance). Glutamate is also abundant in our traditional fermented condiments like iru, ogiri, daddawa. Umami is a universal taste. Ajinomoto has been selling for over hundred years and now sells in about one hundred countries and regions, he added.

Helen Paul expressed her delight at joining Ajinomoto as the brand ambassador. “I am happy and delighted for the opportunity to be Ajinomoto brand ambassador, I promise to tell the Ajinomoto story.”

The former Big Brother Nigeria contestant, Amosu, also expressed his excitement on the project. “As a chef, I’ll be educating and informing consumers on how they can use their Ajinomoto seasoning”, he said.