Innovation in the food industry goes far beyond choosing ingredients. Today, technology applied to aroma development has created products that, besides preserving their freshness and flavour, adapt to the tastes and demands of consumers from different countries. In fact, this sensory personalisation has become a strategic tool to successfully face the challenges of food exportation.
If you want to learn the key points on this topic, at Cosmos Aromática we explain how aromas can make a difference in the international acceptance of a product.
We have decades of experience specializing in the design and manufacturing of aromas for the food industry, and we know firsthand the importance of adapting each product to the regulatory and cultural requirements of each market. Are you ready to discover how a well-designed aroma can open the doors to the international market?
What does exporting food ingredients like aromas involve?
When we talk about food exportation, we don’t limit ourselves to the final product that reaches the shelves of other countries. We also include ingredients such as aromas, which are an essential part of the flavour, identity, and acceptance of the product.
European Union regulations
Exporting food aromas from Spain requires compliance with strict regulatory frameworks. Regulation (EC) 1334/2008 is the reference text within the European Union, specifying which substances can be used as aromas, under what conditions, and with what limitations. Only aromas included in the EU’s positive list are authorized for commercialization.
Safety evaluation and prior authorizations
Every aroma intended for food exportation must have passed a technical evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which verifies the safety of the compounds used. In some cases, specific authorizations must be obtained from the European Commission, especially if the product is aimed at sensitive populations.
Substances with usage restrictions
There are ingredients such as coumarin, estragole, or safrole that, due to their potential toxicological risk, are subject to very strict maximum limits. Therefore, manufacturers are required to thoroughly know the regulations of the destination country and adapt their formulations accordingly.
Labeling requirements and technical documentation
Labeling must comply with Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, which requires declaring the aromas present, identifying possible allergens, and specifying the country of origin. Additionally, it is essential to have updated technical data sheets, health certificates, customs documentation, and traceability evidence.
Practical management of the exportation process
Exporting aromas demands rigorous traceability, robust quality control systems, constant regulatory monitoring, and agile adaptability to legislative changes or specific requirements of new markets.
What advantages does working with a supplier present in Spain and France offer?
Having a partner with presence in both countries provides proximity, market knowledge, and key benefits for food exportation.
Logistical agility and greater geographic coverage
Having infrastructure in both countries allows for optimizing distribution, reducing delivery times, and streamlining logistical procedures to various international markets, both within and outside Europe.
Technical and cultural adaptation capacity
A supplier with binational presence can quickly adjust their products to local regulations, consumer preferences, and documentary requirements, which increases commercial efficiency and reduces regulatory risks.
Commercial and reputational support
Operating from two strategic food markets provides a clear competitive advantage in terms of trust, brand image, and positioning against major global distributors and manufacturers.
What types of aromas are best for food exportation?
Not all types of aromas achieve the same success in the international market. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the following points.
Aromas with certification and stability
Aromas with recognized certifications (such as ISO, controlled origin, organic) and high resistance to prolonged transport are preferred in demanding markets like the United States, Germany, or Japan.
Globally accepted aromatic profiles
Lemon, orange, vanilla, coffee, cocoa, almond, mint, or Mediterranean herbs are versatile and widely recognized profiles across all food categories. They work well in beverages, pastries, dairy products, and prepared dishes alike.
Trend towards natural and “clean label” products
More and more consumers are looking for products with recognizable ingredients, free from artificial additives, allergens, or genetically modified components. Certified natural aromas play a crucial role in this shift towards more transparent labeling.
Applied technological innovation
Encapsulated or liposomal aromas help improve the gradual release of flavour, extend shelf life, and better preserve their properties under conditions of humidity, freezing, or industrial cooking.
Which food sectors benefit most from using aromas in exportation?
Here’s a breakdown of the sectors that particularly benefit from the use of aromas.
Dairy
In yogurts, ice creams, desserts, and cheeses, aromas provide differentiation, sensory appeal, and adaptability to different markets. That’s why customization based on consumer profiles has driven the exportation of innovative dairy products.
Beverages
Whether in functional drinks, soft drinks, or infusions, aromas help define the product’s character, facilitate standardization in mass markets, and allow the development of new lines with regional or seasonal focus.
Bakery and confectionery
Using aromas in candies, chocolates, pastries, or cakes allows for experimenting with intense flavours, maintaining consistency during distribution, and creating exclusive varieties for key dates (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, local festivities).
Prepared meals and snacks
The food exportation of ready meals and snacks benefits from aromas that add complexity without increasing calorie content. Flavours like barbecue, cheese, sun-dried tomato, or curry are common in these products aimed at international retail.
Functional, vegan, or sugar-free products
In foods low in sugar, high in plant proteins, or enriched with fiber, aroma is essential to generate a satisfying consumption experience, such as in the exportation of bars, smoothies, and diet cookies.
Solutions that aromas provide in food exportation
Let’s explore why the use of aromas is essential to maintaining a product’s flavour and quality during exportation.
Transport resistance
There are aromas specially formulated to preserve their intensity and stability even after weeks of transport or storage under varying conditions, ensuring the sensory quality of the final product.
Adaptation to local tastes
At Cosmos Aromática, we work with specific profiles tailored to the preferences of each geographic region. Floral flavours for Asia, spicy notes for Latin America, or mild profiles for Northern European markets are some examples in practice.
Flavour recovery in processed products
In frozen, dehydrated, or heat-treated foods, aromas help recover lost nuances, maintain the product’s personality, and improve acceptance among international consumers.
Enhancement of value proposition
Beyond flavour, aromas can help communicate sustainability, natural origin, exclusivity, or innovation, contributing to a better perception of the product in highly competitive markets.
Aromas that break down borders
Food exportation demands a comprehensive strategy that combines regulatory compliance, technical expertise, and sensitivity to international consumer preferences. This is where aromas take centre stage, serving as an essential solution to create competitive, distinctive, and culturally adapted products.
If you need to produce food products that stand out in the international market, you can rely on the support of Cosmos Aromática. We develop customised aromas to help you cross borders with confidence, quality, and character. Get in touch with us and let’s start designing aromas that connect with your consumers anywhere in the world.