HKFoods Introduces New "Flavor Salt" to Reduce Sodium in Products
HKFoods has developed a new "Flavor Salt" that allows for up to a 25% reduction in sodium without compromising taste. The first product line incorporating this innovation will hit shelves in January 2025.
HKFoods is launching a new "Flavor Salt" designed to reduce sodium content in its products by up to 25 percent while maintaining their familiar taste. This innovation, which replaces a portion of traditional salt with potassium chloride and flavor compounds, aims to address public health concerns and growing consumer demand for lower-sodium options. The first HK® and Kariniemen® products featuring the new salt will be available in stores starting January 2025.
The development of "Flavor Salt," which took several years, has successfully identified flavorings that preserve the original taste of the products, according to HKFoods. The company acknowledges that reducing salt is challenging in food production due to its impact on taste, texture, and shelf life, and has validated the flavor profile through blind taste tests. Innovation Director Marianne Nordblom estimates that the use of "Flavor Salt" could potentially remove up to 65,000 kilograms of salt from the Finnish diet annually.
Initially, 48 products will be reformulated, including well-known items such as "Saunapalvikinkku" (sauna-smoked ham) and Kariniemen honey-marinated chicken strips. Products with a minimum 25% salt reduction will be labeled "Tuttu maku, 25 % vähemmän suolaa" (Familiar taste, 25% less salt). Some products, like Kariniemen chicken fillet strips with honey marinade, have also earned the "Heart Symbol," indicating a healthier choice regarding fat and salt content within their category.
Public awareness regarding excessive salt consumption is growing in Finland. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), nine out of ten Finns consume too much salt daily. An HKFoods-commissioned survey indicates that while most Finns recognize the issue of salt intake, accurately estimating personal daily consumption remains difficult. HKFoods views its "Flavor Salt" innovation as a significant step in promoting public health and facilitating healthier dietary choices for consumers.