Clean Label

Clean Label Reformulation Made Simple

The Challenge

Clean label has evolved from a niche trend to a mainstream consumer expectation that fundamentally reshapes food manufacturing. Consumers globally scrutinize ingredient lists, reject products with unrecognizable components, and actively seek "free-from" claims—no artificial flavors, no synthetic colors, no chemical-sounding additives. Studies show up to 75% of consumers reconsider purchases based on ingredient lists, and nearly half are buying more fresh, unprocessed foods specifically to avoid lengthy ingredient decks. Yet achieving clean label without sacrificing taste, texture, shelf life, or production efficiency remains one of the industry's most complex challenges. Traditional flavor systems, preservatives, and functional ingredients that enable modern food production often conflict directly with clean label requirements.

How Our Solution Works

Our onion juice concentrates provide multifunctional clean label solutions that replace several conventional ingredients simultaneously. A single addition of OJC can eliminate or reduce MSG, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, artificial flavors, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, and in some cases even caramel color. The ingredient declaration is simple and consumer-friendly: "onion juice concentrate" or in some markets simply "onion." No E-numbers. No chemical names. No consumer confusion.

The functionality comes from naturally occurring compounds in onions—glutamates for umami, sulfur compounds for savory depth, natural sugars for sweetness and browning, and flavor precursors that develop complexity during processing. This means achieving the performance of multiple synthetic ingredients through one recognizable food source.

The Clean Label Advantage

Instead of: MSG, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, artificial flavors, flavor enhancers (E621, E627, E631), caramel color (E150) Use: Onion juice concentrate

The label transformation is dramatic. A seasoning blend that previously listed 15+ ingredients can be reformulated to 5-7 recognizable components. A sauce with multiple flavor systems and enhancers becomes a straightforward recipe. Consumers immediately understand what they're eating.

Proven Results Across Applications

• Seasonings & Spice Blends: Eliminated artificial flavors and MSG while maintaining taste
• Sauces & Condiments: Reduced ingredient count from 32 to under 10 components
• Meat Products: Replaced dextrose and artificial enhancers with natural alternatives
• Snack Foods: Achieved "All Natural" claims through complete reformulation
• Ready Meals: Simplified complex flavor systems into recognizable ingredients
• Soups & Broths: Eliminated yeast extract while improving flavor depth

Beyond Ingredient Lists: The Business Case

Clean label reformulation drives multiple business benefits beyond consumer appeal. Premium pricing becomes justifiable with cleaner formulations. Retail partnerships strengthen as major chains prioritize clean label in private label specifications. Export opportunities expand as products meet stricter international natural ingredient requirements. Future regulatory risk decreases as formulations align with evolving standards. And brand reputation improves among increasingly sophisticated, label-reading consumers.

Global Clean Label Standards

Clean label definitions vary by market, but OJC meets the most stringent interpretations worldwide. It qualifies as natural under EU regulations, clean label under North American guidelines, and wholefood ingredient in organic certifications. This global compliance enables standardized formulations across regions rather than maintaining multiple specifications.

Who Benefits

Brands targeting health-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers, manufacturers facing retailer mandates for cleaner labels, organic and natural food companies requiring certified ingredients, export-focused businesses entering markets with strict natural requirements, and any food manufacturer preparing for the next wave of consumer expectations—all find OJC enables practical clean label transformation without starting from scratch.

The Reality Check

Clean label isn't free. Reformulation requires R&D investment, testing, and sometimes accepting slightly higher ingredient costs. However, brands consistently find that consumer acceptance, premium positioning, and competitive differentiation justify the investment. The question isn't whether to pursue clean label, but how to do it effectively.

Ready to Clean Your Label?

Explore our technical specifications, request samples, or connect with our applications team to discuss comprehensive clean label reformulation strategies.