NutriSystem, a leading marketer of weight management
products, recommends that users of its products drink at last eight 8-ounce
glasses of water daily to help flush out toxins produced when body
chemistry changes as weight is lost.
To make the challenge a little easier, the company
sells a water bottle fitted with a closure infused with a new product
produced by ScentSational Technologies that gives water added to the bottle
taste, even though no flavorants are added.
The aroma of a particular flavor can affect the sense
of taste. CompelAroma technology encapsulates substances within the
structure of a plastic package that emits an aroma during heating, after
opening, etc.
For NutriSystem, CompelAroma is added to the closure
of the water bottle as it is injection molded. The closure emits an aroma
(currently lemon, peach or berry) that in effect deceives the taste buds
into believing the water is flavored, enhancing the consumer’s
enjoyment of water without adding calories, sweeteners or preservatives.
ScentSational also works with packaging manufacturers
to incorporate FDA-approved food grade flavors directly into packaging
materials at the time of manufacturing. The encapsulated flavors and
associated aromas become integral parts of the package itself, and can be
released at an appropriate stage in the development of the brand-building
strategy—on the shelf, when opening or during cooking.
When microwaving, for example, CompelAroma enhanced
microwaveable containers broadcast dramatically increased levels of
desirable aromas. Flavors can also be slowly and uniformly released into
the product during its packaged life.