The "AjiPanda Best Day Ever" press conference hosted by Ajinomoto happened 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 sub-specialty 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.

MSG is a no no in our house, I love cooking, my husband don't like MSG on our food, but I grow up putting umami which my moms does it until now. There are some instances that I requested my Mom to cook in our house and of course she can't cook without it, she told me that it will enhance the flavouring of the food, suprisingly my hubby like it.

I will tell my hubby what I've learned during Ajipanda Best Day ever like Umami is the 5th basic taste. Glutamate is responsible for the umami taste and its natural form of NA Salt does not cause Chinese Restaurant Syndrom ( well I will definitely elaborate this one to him), does not deform babies, does not cause cancer, not harmful to young infants, not responsible for degenerative neurologic diseases and is helpful to patients requiring a low NA diet and lastly MSG is safe.

On the other hand, Does MSG cause allergies? Glutamates are not an allergens as explained during the event. MSG is the Na salt form of glutamate, allergens are usually caused by food proteins.

Hope some of my readers like mommies are enlighten about MSG, just like what I will do to my hubby to let me allow to use MSG in our food.




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™.
Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Established in 1958, APC lives by its promise to provide consumers products that will always give the delicious taste to healthy and nutritious meals as embodied in APC’s slogan Ajinomoto® “Eat Well, Live Well.®” APC’s complete line of quality food and seasoning products are produced by international affiliates and local toll manufacturers using Ajinomoto’s license, quality standards and technological expertise. APC’s products include AJINO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, Ajinomoto® Brand Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix, Ajinomoto® Brand Chicken Powder, PORKSAVOR® All-in-One Seasoning Mix, CRISPY FRY® Breading Mix, CRISPY FRY® Seasoned Crumbs, TASTY BOY® All Purpose Breading Mix, AJI-SHIO® Seasoning Mix and “amino Fres-C” Instant Drink Mix.