Flavor masking agents are food additives that are used to mask unpleasant flavors in food products. Bitterness, glycerin flavor, vitamin and mineral flavor, or metallic flavor in the food product are masked with a flavor ingredient that gives the end-product an appealing flavor. Further, flavor masking agents are used in a wide variety of industries such as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. The pharmaceutical industry has grown at a rapid pace over the last decade and is expected to continue this trend in the coming decade. Due to growing urbanization, people are adopting a more sedentary lifestyle. Obesity rates and the prevalence of diseases like diabetes are rising as a result of this. As stated by the World Health Organization, in 2020 chronic disease incidence increased by 57%. Growth of the pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industry can be attributed to the rising prevalence of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, influenza, pneumonia, kidney disease, and septicemia. The use of flavor masking agents is crucial due to the concentrated amount of protein, vitamins, or minerals found in pharmaceutical products. In addition, the rising focus on improving the taste of bitter medicines by adding flavor masking agents is also propelling the market growth.
Some of the major key players operating in the global flavor masking agents market include ADM, Cargill, Incorporated, Carmi Flavor And Fragrance Co., Inc., Geo Specialty Chemicals, Sensient Technologies Corporation, Keva Flavours Pvt. Ltd, and Roquette Freres. The major players in the flavor masking agents market are focusing on strategies such as mergers and acquisitions and research and development to increase the geographical presence and consumer base globally.
RISE IN USE OF FLAVOR MASKING AGENTS IN DIVERSIFIED APPLICATIONS
Further, flavor masking agents are used to enhance the flavor of a product by either offering a more pleasant taste or masking an unpleasant taste. Flavor masking agents are inactive additives used in the pharmaceutical industry. Inactive ingredients are components of a medication that do not enhance or alter the therapeutic function of the active ingredient, which is normally the active drug. Some of the examples of essential additive inactive ingredients are flavoring agents, binding agents, preservatives, and buffers, among others. Without these, the medicine can disintegrate, spoil more quickly, or taste too bitter for most people to consume orally. Moreover, flavors are used in orally consumed goods such as syrups, chewable pills, and suspensions to make the bitter taste of the medicine more pleasant, imparting a beneficial medicinal effect.
However, the use of flavor masking agents is not limited to the pharmaceutical industry and has been expanding across diversified end-use industries. Such masking agents are extensively used in the food & beverages industry in meat & dairy-based products, bakery and confectionery, alcoholic beverages, and sports nutrition. Flavor masking agents are used primarily to mask unwanted flavor notes in food products and provide a good and appealing flavor to the finished product. Additionally, flavor masking agents are also used to improve the flavor of cosmetics and personal care products in a wide range of products such as face mask, lotions, creams, gels, and others. They can also be used to create or mask a specific flavor. Thus, the wide use of flavor masking agents in a wide variety of applications is driving the market growth.
