EAST LANSING, MI — A salt substitute patented by Michigan State University is being used in an improved version of Heinz no-salt-added ketchup that’s hitting store shelves just in time for the first barbeques of spring.
Created by Kris Berglund, MSU University Distinguished Professor of forestry and chemical engineering and materials science, and Hasan Alizadeh, former MSU research associate, the product — sold commercially as AlsoSalt — was patented in 1999 and is produced by Diversified Natural Products in Scottville, MI.
"There’s no sodium in AlsoSalt," Berglund explained. "It’s made from lysine, which is fermented from corn starch. It’s an example of the other bioproducts that can be made from some of the same processes that produce ethanol."
The Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, funded by Michigan corn growers, was an early supporter of the research to develop AlsoSalt. "We’re excited to see a large company such as Heinz get behind the product and use it in ketchup," said Jody Pollok-Newsom, executive director.
Joan Watsabaugh, whose company markets and distributes AlsoSalt, was responsible for working with the research and development team at Heinz. She characterized the flavor of the new ketchup as excellent. “We are proud to be co-branding with Heinz to make ketchup that has only 5 milligrams of sodium per serving. Using AlsoSalt, Heinz removed the added salt while retaining the delicious flavor people expect from Heinz ketchup.”
"We did a lot of ketchup tasting and you can’t tell the difference between the no-salt-added ketchup and the original version," said Debbie Dell, a DNP assistant plant manager who has worked on AlsoSalt since its inception. To meet the new demand, Dell said DNP had increased its production of AlsoSalt.
According to Berglund, the 10-year period between the patent date and new product isn’t unusual. "It takes time to successfully commercialize a product," he said.
JAMMIN’ DJs Provides Trivia Contests at Local Entertainment Venues
JAMMIN’ DJs, mid-Michigan’s most popular entertainment company since 1991, would like to introduce its newest service: JAMMIN’ DJs Trivia sponsored by Bud Light. JAMMIN’ DJs Trivia is America’s hottest new interactive live trivia show. Starting Thursday April 16th from 7-9pm, Gregory’s Ice and Smoke in Lansing will host this fun and challenging event. Additionally, every Tuesday starting May 4th from 7-9 pm, Champions sports bar in Holt will also host JAMMIN’ Trivia.
JAMMIN’ DJs trivia consists of three rounds with multi-category trivia including sports, entertainment, music, history, current events and more. The rules are very simple. The T.J. (or Trivia Jock) asks a series of questions for three rounds. Whichever team has the most points at the end of the game is awarded first, second, and third place. It’s easy, free to play and teams have the chance to win house cash and other cool prizes courtesy of Bud Light.
In addition to trivia, JAMMIN’ DJs provides disc jockeys and karaoke for any event. You can see JAMMIN’ DJs play regularly at Reno’s East, Reno’s West, Brannigan Brothers , Blue Gill Grill, Tripper’s, Relli’s, Champions and The Alibi.
For more information please contact Amelia Stephens, Amelia@jammindjs.com or visit www.jammindjs.com.
Melissa Dey Hasbrook
Publishes "The Land, Once Called DeWitt"
Melissa Dey Hasbrook’s collection of poems The Land, Once Called DeWitt is published on the web site "Dey of the Phoenix" at www.deyofthephoenix.com.
This ecological story of glaciers and generations is arranged in three sections, across which Hasbrook connects continents, cultures, and communities. Inspired by the land where five generations of her family lived, Hasbrook braids what often separates: migrations and land use over time and space between peoples.
Hasbrook is a mixed-blood of Cherokee, Irish, and Prussian ancestry. In The Land, Once Called DeWitt , she respects the land of which she writes as the home of the People of the Three Fires, the Anishinabeg tribes of the Ottawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi.
On Thursday, April 30, Hasbrook will read from The Land, Once Called DeWitt at Feminist Poetry Night. The event is a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood and takes place at Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Contact 517-346-9900 with questions about the event.
Books by Hasbrook include Blame It on Eve! (2007) and the coauthored Echoes of Women (2006). She began performing at and vigils for non-profit groups in 2006. FEM Magazine interviewed Hasbrook about her community work as a poet and activist. Hasbrook resides in Flanders, Belgium and originally is from DeWitt, Michigan, USA.
