Salt of the Earth Mediterranean Umami sodium-reduced flavour enhancer

Salt of the Earth has collaborated with meat companies to meet sodium-reduction regulations in several types of meat products. Mediterranean Umami, a clean-label ingredient, lowers sodium by 25–33% or more in processed meats.

Salt is widely used in meat processing as a flavour enhancer and as a functional ingredient. Most processed meat products contain 1–3% salt, and many also use monosodium glutamate (MSG), yeast extracts, hydrolysed vegetable proteins (HVP), nucleotides, etc, as flavour enhancers. While effective, most of them — especially MSG — have a negative consumer connotation.

Development work has demonstrated that a 25–33% reduction in sodium can be achieved across a variety of meat products, including frankfurters, sausages and injected chicken pastrami. In addition, Mediterranean Umami was able to eliminate the use of MSG and/or yeast extracts in meat products while keeping the desired texture. 

Mediterranean Umami is a blend of vegetable concentrates and extracts, plus natural sea salt rich in umami flavour compounds. It helps enhance flavor and contributes to an overall savoury flavor profile, giving products a more desirable taste as well as reducing the use of salt.