F&G Botswana a company based in Francistown recently launched Ethyl Maltol, a flavour enhancer to give manufacturers in food processing and beverage sector a competitive edge in the global market.
The new flavour enhancer is expected to be a game changer for manufacturers in bakery, beverage, dairy products, household cleaning detergents, meat processing and personal care commodities.
Launching the new product, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Tiroeaone Ntsima explained the flavour enhancer is to be a bridge between science and business.
“This is a symbol of industrial progression. Creativity meeting manufacturing, which positions Botswana as an emerging player in the global flavour and fragrance chain. Aligning directly with our national agenda to grow the manufacturing sector, strengthen value chains and promote export led growth,” pointed out Minister Ntsima.
He added, “this is the future of Botswana’s economy where we do not simply export raw materials, but develop, refine and export finished products to regional and international markets.
The minister said by investing in innovation driven, value added manufacturing and knowledge-based services, Botswana can move up the value chain and reduce vulnerability.
Ntsima urged the manufacturing sector to collaborate, have global partnerships, invest locally in order to create valued added manufacturing in Botswana.
For his part, F&G Botswana Director Steven Zhu stated that the white crystalline powder, is a magic ingredient which does wonders, and a game changer to a product.
“It acts as a sweetening agent and aroma enhancer, commonly used in food, cosmetics and tobacco industries. It is also globally recognised as safe food grade flavour enhancer. Ethyl maltol will bolster the company and the country’s global competitiveness, as Africa accounts for only 11 percent of the global market, lagging behind Asia, Europe and the Americas,” explained Zhu.
Zhu said F&G Botswana’s mission is to bring world class flavour science to Africa’s food industry, doing it locally, affordable and with pride.
“Manufacturers in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe must be able to source flavour ingredients at an affordable cost and not from halfway across the globe. Their products must also compete off shelves with international brands because they have access to quality ingredients.”
F&G Botswana is a subsidiary of Huabao Flavours and Fragrances a leading industrial player based in China. The subsidiary company which operates from Dumela industrial, set up shop 20 years ago. Zhu said they chose Francistown due to its proximity to Zimbabwe and Zambia and because of the city’s industrial heritage.
