A few months ago, an Indonesian food manufacturer reached out to Biospringer through our local partner with a clear objective:
“I want to replace MSG and salt in my toddler food formulation.”
Anticipating future regulatory changes, the customer aimed to develop a cleaner label product—one that would maintain the same great taste while fulfilling the consumer expectations. This request reflects a broader trend: Clean label is becoming a key driver in Southeast Asia. More specifically, in Indonesia, the demand for clean label solutions in toddler food is growing steadily, influenced by increasing health awareness among parents, rising middle-class income, and global health trends.
Our experts at Biospringer Asia Pacific took on the challenge, working closely with the customer to successfully remove MSG from the formulation while preserving the desired flavor profile.
Defining clean label: what does it mean?
A clean label product is generally defined as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: natural, free from additives and preservatives, organic, non-GMO, or produced with ethical and environmentally friendly practices.
According to Innova Database, between 34% and 39% of Asian consumers actively avoid artificial ingredients. Additionally, five of the top ten attributes consumers associate with healthy snacks are linked to naturalness. In baby food, Indonesian mothers are especially attentive to salt and MSG content, looking for alternatives that align with their health-conscious preferences.1
Although Indonesia has not yet implemented an official mandate for salt reduction, regional initiatives aimed at lowering sodium intake are gaining momentum. In this context, it’s no surprise that our customer sought a solution to replace both MSG and salt.
A tailored approach: understanding the customer’s needs
To gain a deeper understanding of their formulation challenges, our local Sales Manager, Adi Kurnia, met with the customer to better understand the formulation challenges. The customer was developing two product lines: beef and chicken broths for toddlers.
When developing food for young children, taste remains a primary challenge. Toddlers cannot articulate whether their food is too salty or lacking in flavor, so the real decision-makers are their mothers—they not only taste the product themselves, but also closely examine ingredient list and labelling, looking for clean and trusted formulations.
After assessing both formulations, Adi recommended a combination of two Biospringer ingredients to effectively replace MSG and reduce salt while maintaining an authentic meaty flavor.
Leveraging yeast extract for taste improvement in toddler food
As a natural ingredient coming from yeast fermentation, yeast extract can be used in baby foods to replace unhealthy ingredients. Therefore, Biospringer’s ranges of yeast extracts are fully suitable to be used in such applications.
Adi introduced two key ingredients:
- Springer® Reveal Savoriness, a natural, fermentation-based solution that improves meaty notes, providing a rich, savory taste while fully replacing MSG.
- Springer® Umami, a yeast extract naturally rich in umami compounds, which allows for up to 30% salt reduction without compromising on taste.
By integrating these ingredients, the customer successfully reformulated their toddler food, achieving a cleaner label while preserving the familiar, well-loved flavors.
A market success: clean label toddler food hits supermarket shelves
With a deep understanding of local market preferences and taste expectations, Biospringer supported the customer in bringing a clean label toddler food to Indonesian supermarket shelves. This success story underscores our commitment to providing tailored, fermentation-based solutions that align with consumer’s demand for healthier food choices that are more transparent.
Meet our expert: Adi Kurnia
With 20 years of experience in the food industry, Adi Kurnia is Biospringer’s Sales Manager for Indonesia. He works closely with local manufacturers to develop customized solutions that meet market demands. If you are looking for clean label ingredient alternatives, feel free to reach out by filling out this form.
1Source: Now & Next in Clean Label in South & Southeast Asia, Innova Market Insights, Dec. 2024
