West African Seasoning Company Limited (WASCO), an affiliate of the AJINOMOTO Group, 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 (a.k.a Tatafo) and professional chef, Miyonse Amosu as ambassadors for AJI-NO-MOTO Umami seasoning, Managing Director of the company, Mr Junichi Niki, said 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 per cent 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 AJI-NO-MOTO 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.

Commenting at the event, 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 with facts about AJI-NO-MOTO,” she said.

The former Big Brother Nigeria contestant, Miyonse Amosu, also expressed his excitement on the project. “As a chef, I’ll be educating and informing consumers on how they can use their AJI-NO-MOTO seasoning,” he said while speaking with the media at the event.

•Photo shows, L-R, Head of Marketing, WASCO Ajinomoto, Mr. Isa Hassan Shallangwa; General Manager, African Business Development, WASCO Ajinomoto, Mr. Sato Takashi; Ajinomoto Brand Influencer, Miyonse Amosu; Ajinomoto Brand Ambassador, Helen Paul and Managing Director, WASCO Ajinomoto, Mr. Junichi Niki during the unveiling of the Brand Ambassadors and factory tour at Apapa, Lagos on July 31, 2018.