Can natural flavors boost your product quality and freshness?

It's a well-known fact now that consumers are becoming increasingly discerned when it comes to food. Whether their motivation comes from a better diet, a desire to do something for the planet or even their own health, they have the tools and knowledge to assess the integrity, safety and transparency of the products they consume. "Clean label is no longer a trend, it's a market expectation”. According to Innova Market Insights, 60% of global consumers say that clean labels have some or even a strong influence on their purchasing decisions.

Whether in terms of production origin, quality, taste or even appearance, this influence translates into a growing demand for natural, recognizable ingredients. Their objective? To have healthy, safe, appetizing products on their plates, and every ingredient in their dish needs to be subject to the same rules.

So, there's an evolution towards clean labeling…

Although the term “clean label” has not been legally defined, consumers will see it as a product that avoids artificial preservatives, synthetic additives and complex ingredient names. So, it becomes a real challenge, especially for food manufacturers, when the biggest question becomes: how can we guarantee product quality and freshness without resorting to the traditional synthetic toolbox?

This is where natural flavors - particularly infused and fermentation-derived solutions - emerge as multifunctional assets. These ingredients don't just enhance the flavor profile of foods; they also help keep your products fresh throughout their entire shelf-life. They meet the needs of consumers and producers alike, while also helping to reduce food waste, as the freshness and quality is maintained.

The marvel of infused flavors

In our recent webinar, "Can natural flavors improve the quality and freshness of your products?", our two experts, Maria Montalva, NPD & Product Manager, and Carlos López Fletes, our Innovation Project Leader, explored the innovative potential of natural infused flavors - botanical extracts derived from fermentation and proprietary infusion techniques.

Galimax Flavor O-50, Galactic's latest innovation, was developed through a patented infusion process using oregano leaves and vinegar salts. This liquid ingredient adds both flavor and freshness retention benefits to a wide range of savory applications (meat, ready meals, sauces).

Galactic worked on a natural solution: presentation of Galimax Flavor O-50

Galimax Flavor O-50, a clean-label oregano infusion, was designed by our NPD & R&D teams to meet two of the market's most pressing demands: freshness and flavor.
For freshness, our technicians and engineers carried out in-house studies and proved the product's ability to maintain freshness (on beef patties) throughout its shelf-life. 

The sensory profile, validated by trained panels, revealed a dominant herbaceous character enriched with acidic, umami and broth-like nuances, making it a highly versatile component for products such as marinated meats, sauces, ready meals and herbal substitutes.
Galimax Flavor O-50 is therefore a response to the two converging consumer priorities. In this context, ingredients such as Galimax Flavor O-50 are not just nice to have - they are essential tools for innovation.

Adopting “clean label” strategies is no longer just a question of differentiation, but also of relevance. As manufacturers adapt to regulatory pressures, changing consumer values and environmental concerns, it's essential to find innovative solutions that enhance both flavor and food safety.
Galactic's expanded range of natural ingredients, including vinegars, lactates and antimicrobial solutions, complements this vision - supporting product stability while keeping ingredient lists simple and transparent.

Want to know more about flavors?

Watch the full webinar replay to hear directly from Galactic experts Maria Montalva and Carlos López Fletes as they discuss the market context, strategy, and real-world application of infused natural flavors.