News

Ever wonder why so many so-called natural flavors taste artificial? The goal of creating natural flavors should encompass more than simply meeting FDA disclosure and labeling requirements. After all, what good is having a natural label if your product still tastes synthetic? At Parker Flavors we make flavors that excite, satisfying a higher standard — your taste buds! So we proudly introduce our TruFlavors™ line to highlight our most natural tasting, true-to-life profiles. Manufactured and sourced from premium ingredients, these flavors are crafted to stand up to the toughest of scrutiny. And, while we do not pretend to have replicated Mother Nature, we are redefining expectations. To earn our TruFlavor™ distinction, a given flavor must approach a level of quality that very closely simulates its actual source. Ask a representative for specific profiles and samples. Our TruFlavors™ might just give you a whole new appreciation for natural!

Parker Flavors is exhibiting at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Expo in Chicago from July 18 – 20. The IFT event is the largest food ingredients show in the world, annually bringing together experts from academia, government and industry all in one place. Please visit us at booth #3169.

As part of a constant effort to meet the needs of our customers, Parker Flavors is excited to introduce encapsulated or spray-dried flavor technology to our wide array of outstanding food and beverage powder flavors. Unlike standard plated powders, encapsulation allows us to manufacture our proven flavor profiles to an even stronger line of powdered flavors for a host of dry and extreme heat applications. As always, Parker Flavors will continue to seek innovative flavor solutions for our valued customers. Please inquire for more information.

With 110 years experience as a leader in quality and service to the bakery, beverage, candy and dairy industries, our company is adopting a new identity as Parker Flavors. Our goal is to better reflect what has been the scope of our mission for four generations: producing a broad range of high value flavors and consistently putting customers first. While vanilla is the core of our business, our new identity expresses fully our longstanding commitment and competency in all flavors botanical, fruit, nut and specialty. Those familiar with our world class vanillas will want to consider realizing the same quality and value from these many other flavors as well.

The image celebrated in our new logo is that of our founder, Malcolm Parker, whose proud history truly embodies the determination and perseverance that define the American entrepreneurial spirit. Malcolm originally worked as a successful flavor chemist and salesman with the William Hay Company in Baltimore until he was blinded in an unfortunate trolley car accident and fired from his position. Using his considerable experience and knowledge of flavors, he decided to start Parker Vanilla Products. Malcolm’s former customers were eager to continue their relationship with him and new acquisitions quickly came to appreciate his deep commitment to personal service and quality. As a consequence, his neophyte enterprise survived the Great Depression and thrived in subsequent years. Today, Malcolm’s strong, customer-centered business principles continue to govern all that we do.

In sum, we hope our brand achieves that highly prized, timeless quality which speaks both to the enduring business values of our roots and to the opportunities presented in the current environment. So it is with a humbling sense of gratitude and a spirit of renewed vision that our company is poised once again to embrace the future with a brand new identity. We look forward to continuing to serve your needs and expanding our relationships together beyond vanilla with a legacy of great taste as Parker Flavors!

This year, Malcolm Parker II marks his 50th year with Parker Flavors. Hired by his father and then-President Llewellyn Parker in 1959, Malcolm has spent most of his career as an account executive, promoting the company with characteristic loyalty, perseverance and pride. Currently, he serves as our Chairman. Please join us in congratulating Malcolm for a career well spent and serving as a model for us all!

Our former longtime president, Robert E. Kerney, passed away today. Following his service as a Corporal in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge, he was hired by then-President Llewellyn Parker in 1945. Bob’s energy, enthusiasm, and larger-than-life personality made him a natural salesman and successful executive. Beginning in 1960, Bob served as President until his retirement in 1991, at which time he continued consulting for the company. Bob’s dedication and passion for Parker Flavors will always be remembered by those of us so fortunate to work with him and share his friendship.

Parker Flavors has again received the gold standard “superior” rating for Flavor manufacturing from AIB International, a highly respected food industry group. The non-profit organization conducts thorough inspections to ensure proper practices and procedures are in place to promote food safety. Our customers will continue rely on us for superior quality flavors and support.

Following a period of low price stability a variety of factors are once again coalescing to drive vanilla bean prices upward. Daily reports of global fuel and food inflation, growing demand in Asia and a weak US dollar are threatening recession here at home. In Madagascar, many farmers have stopped maintaining their vanilla crop during a glut that hurt their earnings the past two years. As a consequence, a virus threatens to cripple over a third of Malagasy vanilla vines.

The bottom line: expect vanilla bean prices to increase by next year. If you have not already done so, this may an opportune time to consider our Natural Vanilla Flavor alternatives to Pure Vanilla Extract . Please see our dedicated webpage and call us for details and samples.

Following considerable research, Parker Flavors proudly introduces our new Butter Emulsion without any added diacetyl. Present in butter, diacetyl is also a concentrated and widely used flavoring ingredient that has come under scrutiny in recent years for its potentially adverse effect on respiratory health. As a consequence, we developed this new bakery emulsion for those looking for a complete butter profile without diacetyl. Our new Butter Emulsion is available in both natural and artificial form. Please contact us for more information and samples.

We will be exhibiting at the IFT Food Expo in Chicago from July 29th though 31st in booth #4622. Featured products and samples include:

• Natural Chocolate Flavors – Unique combination of strength and taste made from the highest quality cocoa beans and other natural ingredients.
• Natural Vanilla Flavors – Developed in 2000, these products continue to offer value as alternatives to extracts and are comparable in profile and strength. Madagascan and Tahitian varieties available.
• Tropical Flavors – Fresh, fruity and juicy notes combine to satisfy the tastes of this emerging market.
• Organic Compliant Flavors – Meet the market’s strong demand for great tasting, cost-effective all natural flavors.

Celebrating 110 years of consistent quality this anniversary year, Parker Flavors has indeed come a long way since 1897. At the same time, the company remains true to the values imbued by its founder Malcolm Parker. The family owned and operated business manufactures a complete line of botanical, fruit, nut and specialty flavors. AIB superior rated and completely Kosher, we also deliver high-value custom flavor blends with prompt service to meet today’s demanding production timetables.

In November, the company moved operations to Holabird Industrial Park, conveniently located one mile off I-95 in Baltimore City. The new, larger facility enables Parker Flavors to accommodate continued growth without compromising the unbeatable service customers have come to expect. Parker Flavors remains uniquely positioned to deliver an ever-increasing array of flavors and value to the food industry.