McCormick & Co., a Maryland-based company renowned for enhancing food flavors for over 130 years, is now spicing up its product development process with artificial intelligence. Traditionally, the manufacturer of spices, seasoning mixes, flavorings, and condiments has depended on human expertise to create their next big hit. However, they are increasingly turning to technology to assist their team of 500 scientists, flavorists, product developers, and support staff in accelerating product creation and improving the chances of market success.
On Monday, McCormick announced a partnership with tech giant IBM to leverage artificial intelligence in analyzing 40 years of consumer data, taste preferences, and product characteristics. Previously, new products were developed using approximately 4,000 ingredients from their database, undergoing rigorous testing before hitting the market. A single product might be adjusted 50 to 150 times to find the perfect flavor.
Now, McCormick aims to utilize AI to sift through its data more efficiently, helping to identify which ingredients complement each other or can serve as substitutes. The company plans to introduce its first three AI-driven products by late spring: recipe mix flavors for Tuscan Chicken, Bourbon Pork Tenderloin, and New Orleans Sausage. Hamed Faridi, McCormick’s chief science officer, remarked, “The No. 1 challenge is how to create a product that will remain in the market for a long time. New products typically vanish within three to five years.” With AI’s capability to harness over 40 years of experience, Faridi believes there is a significant opportunity to develop iconic products that could endure in the marketplace for decades.
Faridi noted that artificial intelligence could streamline the product development process by as much as 70%. With a simple push of a button, product developers can initiate algorithms that generate numerous new recipe ideas within minutes. The company recognizes that researchers often focus on a limited selection of ingredients. By employing AI, they can explore previously overlooked combinations or suggest alternatives that a human might miss. For instance, AI recently proposed adding cumin to enhance a pizza spice’s flavor profile.
As Robin Lougee, a research scientist at IBM, explained, “We’re able to explore flavors in a way that might be broader than what human researchers could achieve, given that it’s impossible for them to know all the thousands of ingredients McCormick offers.” The vast amount of data available is beyond what any individual can process.
For McCormick, integrating artificial intelligence “significantly enhances” their innovative capabilities, allowing product developers to elevate their efforts. It also positions the company to better engage with e-commerce, where they can offer a wider range of customized products. Faridi further emphasized their commitment to AI, stating that by 2022, all new products could potentially be developed using this technology, paving the way for exciting advancements, including potential applications in areas like calcium citrate elemental conversion.
In summary, McCormick’s embrace of artificial intelligence is set to transform its approach to product development, making the process faster and more effective while exploring the vast potential of flavor combinations, including innovative uses like calcium citrate elemental conversion.