FlavorSum expands portfolio to include food and beverage flavor modulators

Image | adobe.stock/Marielen

In a January 23, 2025, news release¹, North American flavor producer FlavorSum announced its portfolio now included flavors with modulating properties (FMPs). FMPs are considered a subset of flavors used to modify the portfolio of a finished product². They target taste receptors on the tongue, blocking certain flavor molecules.

The new flavor system, known as FlavorSum Modulate, is presented as offering solutions to certain challenges in products. These include masking bitterness, enhancing mouthfeel, and mitigating off-notes in food and beverage products including alcohol, bakery products, beverages, cannabis, and dairy and non-dairy applications.

“Our flavorists understand the complexity of product development, especially as interest in functional and low-sugar foods and beverages continues to grow,” stated Ibrahima Faye, director of flavor development R&D, in the news release. “The FlavorSum Modulate portfolio fits with many applications, helping brands deliver desired taste profiles while aligning with label goals.”

As FlavorSum explains, bitterness maskers can block the flavors of chalkiness, beany notes, and metallic notes from products such as alcohol, caffeine, preservatives, protein, sugar alternatives, and functional beverages². For an insight into the functional beverage market, FlavorSum noted that according to NielsenIQ, US sales of functional beverages increased by 54% from March 2020 to March 2024.

Additionally, the bitterness maskers can be applied to alternative protein sources and plant-based products, such as beverages, bakery, and supplements, that are sourced from chickpeas, flaxseed, whey, and peas³. The most significant improvement to be made for plant-based products was flavor, a recent Innova survey noted, according to FlavorSum.

The flavor modulators also mask off-notes and increase sweetness delivery in sugar alternatives, vitamins and minerals, and preservatives, and can be used in applications such as dairy and dairy alternatives, baked goods, beverages, and juice⁴.

“We continue to focus on providing solutions that help address customers’ formulation challenges,” added chief commercial officer, Dave Franz. “FlavorSum Modulate provides our team with tools to appropriately optimize food and beverage taste experiences, working in collaboration with our customers.”

Companies also have the option to request a sample of the FMPs.

In June 2024, the company opened its newly expanded facility in Kalamazoo, MI. The expansion added 35,000 square feet and features capacities for emulsion, extraction, and warehousing, plus process automation. The new facility is in addition to a new Innovation Center in Marlton, NJ. FlavorSum is owned by global private equity firm, The Riverside Company.

References

1. FlavorSum. Introducing FlavorSum Modulate: Tailored Solutions for Exceptional Taste in Foods and Beverages https://flavorsum.com/flavorsum-introduces-flavorsum-modulate/ (accessed 2025-01-27).
2. FlavorSum. FlavorSum Modulate Bitterness Maskers https://flavorsum.com/solutions/bitterness-maskers/ (accessed 2025-01-27).
3. FlavorSum. FlavorSum Modulate Protein Maskers https://flavorsum.com/solutions/protein-maskers/ (accessed 2025-01-27).
4. FlavorSum. FlavorSum Modulate Sweetness Optimization https://flavorsum.com/solutions/sweetness-optimization/ (accessed 2025-01-27).