(clockwise from left):Will Devaughn, Host; Mario Mendoza- NutriAsia Broad Culinary Marketing Group Head; James Lim- Corporate Marketing & Communications Head; Ilusion Farias-Impact Director- Plastic Credit Exchange; Angie Flaminiano-Chief Operating Officer and President of NutriAsia; Ampy Rio- Chief Marketing Officer of NutriAsia

In keeping with its mission to promote sustainability, leading condiments manufacturer and distributor NutriAsia partnered with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) for its Datu Puti brand to achieve plastic neutrality.

In a virtual press conference held on 4 October 2021, Datu Puti announced that it has achieved a plastic neutrality certification from PCX. The move to make the entire Datu Puti product line plastic neutral is not only critical for reducing the impact plastic has on the environment, it also allows the iconic brand the opportunity to inspire Filipinos to make more sustainable lifestyle choices through the products they support. “Datu Puti has been a part of many Filipinos’ lives for decades, which is why it was best to start with it as a pioneer brand in sustainability. This puts Datu Puti in a prime position of being a catalyst and a leader of positive change toward a more sustainable world, helping fellow Filipinos adopt a more environment-friendly lifestyle through the products we offer,” said Mario Mendoza, NutriAsia’s Broad Culinary Marketing Group head.

Achieving plastic neutrality entails calculating the plastic usage in Datu Puti’s bottles, bottle caps, cap seals, and stand-up pouches, then through PCX, diverting the equivalent amount of post-consumer plastic from nature. The collected plastic is transformed into an alternative source of energy for creating cement and other products. This provides a more sustainable way of managing plastic waste. “The problem of plastic waste is a concern that we simply cannot take on alone. We congratulate NutriAsia on their important decision and milestone of achieving plastic neutrality with Datu Puti, and we at PCX are happy that the company has chosen to partner with us and take up this noble advocacy,” said Nanette Medved-Po, founder of PCX.

NutriAsia’s efforts to achieve plastic neutrality through Datu Puti amplify the company’s drive for sustainability. Since 2014, the company has been active in sustainability projects like Datu Puti’s Jumbohalang Tambalan, Refill Revolution in partnership with DENR, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote), the  NutriAsia EcoStation, and Select & Collect. “Systemic and meaningful change often happens as a result of independent and collective actions toward the same goal and direction. NutriAsia’s drives for sustainability and our new partnership with PCX is a testament to our commitment to making the lives of Filipinos even more Masarap and Masaya, both in and outside the kitchen,” said Angie Flaminiano, President and COO of NutriAsia.

Beyond flavouring every Filipino’s dishes with deliciousness, NutriAsia wants to ensure a better and greener world that future generations of Filipinos can savor. As such, the company will remain a committed partner in nation-building efforts towards a more sustainable Philippines.

The recently released report found that Silver Swan rose in the rankings by one place as it bagged the Top 2 Most Chosen Brand in the FMCG Category in 2020 with almost 500 million Consumer Reach Points. 

Datu Puti also ascended one spot in claiming the Top 12 Most Chosen Brand in the same category and retained its position as the Top 4 Most Chosen Brand in Food. Meanwhile, UFC also garnered the 12^th Most Chosen Brand in Food of 2020.

The Brand Footprint uses Consumer Reach Points (CRP) as basis for the rankings. This metrics measures how many households across the country were buying the brand, and how often they were bought. The report essentially proves that Silver Swan, Datu Puti, and UFC are still tried and true products that many Filipinos choose and rely on in their kitchens, despite the drop in shopping frequency brought about by the country’s community quarantines.

“We are truly grateful to Filipino consumers across the nation for supporting and relying on NutriAsia products for their everyday needs, especially during the pandemic. This accomplishment and recognition reinforce our commitment to bringing everyone quality and affordable products that make for countlessM asarap, Masaya moments at home,” said Mario Mendoza, NutriAsia’s Broad Culinary Marketing Group Head.

Silver Swan is a long-running, trusted, and iconic Philippine name in every day condiments. It is the Filipino housewives’ partner in helping bring out the delicious taste in food with its tamang timpla of flavors.

Aside from soy sauce, Silver Swan also offers a wide range of condiments and food products that make up the perfectly balanced taste that many Filipinos know and love, such as vinegar, fish sauce, salted black beans, chili sauce, hot sauce, oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and most recently, the Wow Sarap Seasoning Granules.

Datu Puti is the pioneer vinegar brand in the Philippines, with its name defining the perfect quality and delicious sourness in vinegar. It has grown into a megabrand of condiments with the addition of soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and barbecue marinade, among others.

UFC is the Philippines’ first and only Tamis-Anghang Banana Catsup brand, established in 1969. It uses a unique recipe that combines a delightful sweet taste with the spicy kick of chili, making it an instant hit with Filipinos. It has expanded from banana catsup to include products such as chili sauces, rice mix, spaghetti and tomato sauce, ready recipes, cooking oil, sinigang mix, gravy, and spices.

NutriAsia is the Philippines’ leading producer, marketer, & distributor of high-quality sauces and condiments. It is also home to iconic Filipino brands like Mang Tomas, Golden Fiesta, Papa, Mafran, and Jufran.

On January 24, the brand hosted a large-scale online meeting via Zoom, dubbed as the Datu Puti Mukhasim Nation World Record Day, where nearly 200 “Ka-Datus” joined the attempt to set a new Guinness World Records™ title. Hosted by Sam YG, the official title attempt was led by Datu Puti’s celebrity Sukambassadors Tita Krissy Achino, Eric “Eruption” Tai, and Maymay Entrata.

Participants were divided into six Tribo Breakout Rooms, namely Tribo Sukang Puti facilitated by JC Tevez, Tribo Sukang Sinamak with Maymay Entrata and Cara Eriguel, Tribo Pinoy Spice headed by Eric “Eruption” Tai, Tribo Sukang Tagalog with Tita Krissy Achino, Tribo Sukang Iloko with Show Suzuki, and Tribo Spiced Vinegar led by Nikki Viola.

The breakout rooms ensured that Guinness World Records™ official adjudicator Brian Sobel, who joined the call all the way from Australia, and six other independent witnesses were able to monitor and check if all the guidelines of the attempt were followed.

At the sound of the Sawsaw Signal, all Ka-Datus and Sukambassadors simultaneously showed their best “Sawsaw-Tikim-Mukhasim” move on camera. Participants simultaneously dipped their choice of food into their favorite Datu Puti Vinegar before tasting its naturally fermented goodness that brings out the best Mukhasim reaction.

As the undisputed leading vinegar brand in the country since 1975, Datu Puti has consistently provided a satisfying nuot-asim sarap that makes great-tasting dishes a lot more enjoyable. Also known as the pambansang suka, Datu Puti now comes in five distinctly Filipino flavors that celebrate the diversity of our cuisine and culture: Datu Puti Sukang Sinamak, Datu Puti Sukang Iloko, Datu Puti Sukang Tagalog, Datu Puti Pinoy Spice, and the classic Datu Puti White Vinegar.

Guinness World Records™ adjudicator Brian Sobel congratulated all Ka-Datus for participating in the historic event, which was also witnessed live by thousands of viewers through the Datu Puti Facebook Page.

“After a thorough review of all the footage from the Datu Puti Mukhasim Nation World Record Day, which took place on January 24, I am very happy and proud to announce that you have managed to set a new Guinness World Records™ title of the most people dipping food into vinegar online simultaneously. I congratulate Datu Puti and all the Ka-Datus for this ‘officially amazing’ feat. I hope that this new record will not only make Datu Puti and the Ka-Datu’s proud of their achievement, but also help inspire more people in your country and all over the world to explore their own limitless possibilities.” said Sobel.

Not only is this feat remarkable for gathering a large number of participants online, but also because of its symbolism. At a time when we are unable to gather physically, the Filipino resilience shines through by finding ways and means to celebrate as a community, even at a distance.

A step toward the company’s climate change goals, NutriAsia has pledged to make the entire Datu Puti product portfolio plastic neutral, which entails offsetting 100% of its plastic footprint over the last year and for the future. This means calculating the plastic usage in Datu Puti’s bottles, bottle caps, cap seals, and stand-up pouches, then through PCEx, diverting the equivalent amount of post-consumer plastic from nature. Datu Puti commits to achieving a net-zero plastic footprint by 2021.

Since 2014, NutriAsia has been taking part in the movement towards a zero-waste community through projects like Datu Puti’s Jumbohalang Tambalan, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote)  DENR-EMB’s Refill Revolution, as well as through the launch of Locally, a socially responsible brand for the “local good”. A stepping stone to sustainability, these projects raised awareness on responsible plastic use.

Through their engagement with PCEx, NutriAsia activates a key piece of their sustainability plan. Angie Flaminiano, President at NutriAsia, said, “With our brands being an integral part of every Filipino household, NutriAsia takes its role in nation-building with much fervor.   We strive to live by our commitment to our consumers of making their lives Masarap (good), Masaya (happy). This partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange is part of fulfilling that promise. NutriAsia through plastic neutrality is intensifying its drive for sustainability.  We are one with the nation in ensuring quality lives for our countrymen by protecting our environment, now and in the future.”

“We welcome NutriAsia to our global movement of changemakers,” said Nanette Medved-Po, Founder and Chairwoman at PCEx. “By choosing to undergo the boldest action to help put an end to plastic waste, NutriAsia underscores its ongoing commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of their brands like Datu Puti.”