Variety may indeed be the spice of life, but it is just a word until new and unique flavors add something to the mix and provide some of those variations. However, flavorings have met with a degree of controversy of late, as have manufacturer efforts to add diverse new flavors to traditional lines.

Peanut butter just got a makeover, as Planters introduces a new version that has a bit of a punch.

Synergy Flavors has acquired a flavor operation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Howard Smith, Jr., president of Virginia Dare Extract Company, announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) J. Verdi as business director – Health & Wellness.

to Spicetec Flavors & Seasonings’ (SFS) new website (www.spicetecflavorsandseasonings.com) will find a sophisticated digital tour of the SFS customization process.

McCormick & Co. will buy privately held Wuhan Asia-Pacific Condiments Co. for about $141.3 million.

Ottens Flavors, an international flavor supplier to the beverage, dairy, savory, bakery and confectionery industries, said MK Ottens Flavors, its Mexico City-based subsidiary, earned a certificate of conformance verifying that the company has met the requirements of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6. MK Ottens earned an “A” rating, the highest of four grades awarded by BRC.

Buffalo Blends is rebranding itself as Tipton Mills.

Extracts from an Australian-grown ginger were able to increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells independently of insulin.

Chronic exposure to an artificial butter flavoring ingredient, known as diacetyl, may worsen the harmful effects of a protein in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease.