Ajinomoto hosted a press conference dubbed as “AjiPanda™ Best Day Ever!” last November 24, 2015 at the Torre Venezia Suites in Quezon City. The event highlighted the launch of AjiPanda™ icon, information sharing on umami and monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the contract renewal of Teen Queen Kathryn Bernardo as the brand endorser of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning.
Roann Co, Ajinomoto’s Marketing Department Head, explains “AjiPanda™ personifies a humble pack or bottle of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning as an ever-reliable way of bringing out the natural deliciousness of food. AjiPanda™ fills the role of ‘Your Best Friend in the Kitchen’ helping you work wonders in your cooking so that you can share many happy meals with your family.”
Dr. Frances Tan, a medical doctor with specialization in General Pediatrics, and a subspecialty in Allergy and Immunology, was invited to impart basic facts about umami and monosodium glutamate. She explained that umami is the 5th basic taste that allows people to enjoy the delicious taste in food. It is also described as “savory” or “malinamnam”. The source of this umami taste is glutamate. Glutamate is a non-essential amino acid that naturally occurs in food like tomatoes and cheeses and can be found in salt form through monosodium glutamate.
Scientific evidences from credible institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), The United Nation’s Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (UN JECFA), were presented to affirm the safety of MSG for general consumption. Dr. Celeste Tanchoco, a veteran in the field of nutrition, was also present to shed light about the role of glutamate in nutrition.
Ms. Kathryn Bernardo graced the event for her contract renewal as brand endorser of AJI-NO-MOTO®. According to Kathryn, she finds cooking for her family very rewarding. She would love for the new generation of cooks to experience the joys of home-cooking with her new best friend in the kitchen – AjiPanda™.
