Firm Reiterates Commitment To Tackling Hypertension In Nigeria

Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited (AFN) an affiliate of a global food giant, AJINOMOTO, and makers of AJI-NO-MOTO® food seasoning, has reiterated commitment to tackling hypertension in Nigeria.

The managing director of Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Ltd. Mr. Noriyuki Ogushi, gave the assurance, during the facility tour of the AJI-NO-MOTO® factory, located at Apapa, Lagos, by members of the Association of Medical Officers of Health of Nigeria, (AMOHN), Lagos state chapter; Lagos State Caterers and Decorators Association (LSCDA), and Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN).

Ogushi, while sensitizing the stakeholders about the safety and quality of the food seasoning, affirmed that AJI-NO-MOTO® is safe for consumption, as it helps a lot in reducing the intake of salt.

Speaking on the facility tour, the managing director said engaging different stakeholders on the safety and quality of their products would help dispel unscientific rumours about the food seasoning which has been in existence for over 100 years and used in no less than 130 countries across the world.

Ogushi said the philosophy of the company was to contribute to the wellbeing of all human beings, the society and the planet through AminoScience. “AJI-NO-MOTO® food seasoning also known as Umami or Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is safe for consumption. The safety of the product had long been scientifically proven and its safety approved by global authorised agencies.

“MSG seasoning, an Umami substance, is present in most natural foods such as meat, seafood, vegetables, cheese, and milk. Glutamate is abundant in human breast milk. Umami seasoning enhances the taste of dishes and is a universal taste. It is one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. AJI-NO-MOTO® is simply made from sugarcane through the natural process of fermentation”, he explained.

Dispelling rumours about the product in her presentation, the corporate communications manager of the company, Francisca Ikediashi, told the stakeholders to ignore fallacy and work with facts, while noting that AJI-NO-MOTO® helps in salt reduction in cooking and also enhances the deliciousness of meals.

“When you hear of umami, what comes to your mind is MSG, that is AJI-NO-MOTO® Seasoning. And MSG simply means sodium salt of glutamic acid which is an amino acid that is naturally in our body and present in all food, especially in protein-rich foods. We have it in plant foods, animal, vegetables, tomato, carrot, locust bean like daddawa, castor oil bean seed and iru. When you ferment them, the glutamate in them rises and it’s the glutamate that impacts the umami flavour that we are talking about.

“So, you can see it’s safe for human consumption”, she said.

Speaking, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of AMOHN, Dr. Tunde Osoba, said the safety practices that he observed during the facility tour were of good standards. “The standard is what I would even encourage that many manufacturers that we have in Lagos State emulate. The environment is clean and tidy. The machines did not pose any form of danger to the personnel. So they have good safety and hygiene practices. Now on the issue of misconception because the product is registered with NAFDAC that makes it safe for consumption”, the public health physician said.

President, Lagos State Caterers and Decorators Association, Olajumoke Abraham-Agbelusi, said rumours about AJI-NO-MOTO® were untrue based on her many years of experience using the product.

She stated, “As a caterer, I have tried many products. The truth is that AJI-NO-MOTO® is safe for consumption. It helps a lot in reducing the intake of salt. When my members and I use AJI-NO-MOTO®, we reduce the quantity of salt added to the food. So, it is a healthy season that promotes low salt consumption.”