According to the company,  based on its safety, AJI-NO-MOTO® which has been in existence for over 100 years,  is consumed in over 130 countries by enhancing taste and increasing deliciousness of food.

Speaking at the annual symposium with the objective of building confidence in COVID-19 vaccines held recently and which was also used to introduce the company’s newest addition, “DeliDawa” seasoning to the Association, WASCO’s Corporate Communications manager; Ikediashi Francisca affirms that AJI-NO-MOTO® food seasoning also known as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), is safe for consumption, assuring the caterers that the product had long been scientifically proven safe for consumption.

According to her, AJI-NO-MOTO® helps in salt reduction in our cooking and also enhances deliciousness of our meals. The Umami taste harmonizes the overall flavour without any compromise to the delicious taste of our meals. Ikediashi says AJI-NO-MOTO® is simply made from sugarcane through the natural process of fermentation and therefore, 100 percent safe for consumption.

Educating the participants further, Ikediashi noted that based on its safety, AJI-NO-MOTO® seasoning is consumed in over 130 countries.

AJI-NO-MOTO®, according to her, has been safely used as food ingredient since 1909 after it was discovered by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda, adding that the product is registered in Nigeria by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Ikediashi provided more safety facts about umami seasoning and gave reasons why Nigerians should not entertain any fear consuming it.

“The benefits of the seasoning include 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,” AJI-NO-MOTO® is 100 per cent safe for human consumption, she said.

WASCO is committed to helping Nigerians eat healthy by  bringing out the natural taste in cooking through safe and cost-effective seasonings, urging them to dispel any myth or misconception about AJI-NO-MOTO® through their write-ups.

“Umami substance is present in most natural foods such as meat, seafood, vegetables, cheese and milk. Glutamate is also abundant in 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. We have a lot of glutamate in our local foods. Iru, for instance, is umami. When you take Iru, you take a lot of glutamates”he explained.

She added that AJI-NO-MOTO is simply made from sugarcane through the natural process of fermentation.

She commended members of the association for the engagement and promised that the company remained committed working with them in making AJI-NO-MOTO a household name in food seasoning in Nigeria.

About the latest addition to their brand, Ikediashi mentioned that “DeliDawa” is a powdery seasoning made from fermented locus beans which gives more native flavour and taste than local Daddawa, it has no unpleasant smell and no inconvenience of grinding. It is affordable and can be used for a long period of time. Produced and packaged under a hygienic condition, the seasoning can be used for variety of local dishes”

President of HEWAN, Mrs. Chioma Obinna in her response, commended WASCO for supporting and contributing to the success of this year’s symposium, assuring that members of the association would continue to provide consumers with factual information about the product through their stories.

“This awareness is a welcome development. A lot of our members have today been sensitised about the safety of your product as a brand that is an essential seasoning for every meal; Now that the company has partnered with us for awareness creation, we are very happy. It is now our duty to take the information to the public,” she said.

WASCO has continued to use various platforms including engagement with key stakeholders in the medical profession, food science and technology, women groups, traditional rulers among others, to raise awareness about the safety of the Japanese Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) food seasoning.