Firmenich says it has created the first ever flavour by Artificial Intelligence (AI), a lightly grilled beef taste for use in plant-based meat alternatives.
The development provides customers with tailored taste and nutrition options and increased speed to market, the company says.
“Firmenich is marrying the most fundamental elements of our DNA: ground-breaking innovation with the unique creativity of our flavourists for enhanced formulation,” said Firmenich’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, Eric Saracchi.
“AI enables us to explore new boundaries by empowering our Creators with a precise formula starting point, as well as additional suggestions for optimized ingredient combinations from which they can create bespoke tastes.”
Firmenich Flavours President Emmanuel Butstraen added: “The Covid-19 crisis has changed the food innovation landscape as well as the consumer marketplace. We must understand and respond to these rapidly-evolving needs with more creativity at an even faster pace. Whether through offering moments of comfort and delight or addressing the larger shift towards healthier food & beverages.”
Butstraen said: “The exciting addition of AI allows us to better leverage different raw materials and explore new creative leads. Taking into account specific product parameters such as 100% natural ingredients and regulatory requirements, the technology enhances our flavourists’ capability to create superior taste solutions and accelerate our product development.”
The flavour was created in collaboration with Microsoft, leveraging the entirety of Firmenich’s broad raw material database. The resulting grilled beef flavor capitalizes on Firmenich’s unique palette of ingredients and SmartProteins expertise in plant-based protein alternatives.
