USDA Natural marinade provides enhanced tenderness while reducing cooking time by up to 25% in slow-cook applications
ALSIP, IL – July23, 2025 – Griffith Foods, a global developer and manufacturer of customized food ingredient solutions, is proud to announce the launch of OptiTender Marinade. This breakthrough clean-label tenderizing solution addresses growing consumer demand for natural ingredients while delivering significant operational benefits to protein processors.
OptiTender Marinade represents an innovative approach to meat processing technology, offering a USDA Natural alternative to traditional enzyme-based tenderizers such as papain and bromelain. The innovative marinade provides enhanced meat tenderness while reducing cooking time by up to 25% in slow-cook applications.
Addressing Critical Market Needs
With 85% of North American consumers interested in unprocessed or minimally processed foods and 54% expressing concern about overly processed meat products, OptiTender Marinade directly responds to evolving consumer preferences.[1] Additionally, 58% of U.S. consumers are choosing cheaper cuts of red meat due to high prices, creating demand for solutions that can improve the eating quality of value cuts.[2]
“OptiTender was developed with our customers and end consumers in mind,” said Keriane Falloon, Griffith Foods North America Category Management Director. at Griffith Foods. “We see the market moving towards clean label solutions, and, given our expertise in product development, we are well-positioned to bring these solutions to market, making food manufacturing simpler while meeting consumer demand.”
Key Benefits and Features
- Clean Label Solution: USDA Natural*
- Enhanced Value: Ideal for improving the quality of value cuts of meat
- Cook Time Reduction: Up to 25% reduction in slow-cook applications, leading to potential energy savings and reduced carbon emissions
- Ease of Use: Eliminates the risk of over-tenderization
- Flavor Neutral: Does not impact flavor delivery in marinade systems
- Consistent Results: No loss of functionality when incorporated into marinade formulations
Target Applications and Markets
OptiTender Marinade is designed for protein processors producing marinated and prepared beef and pork products for retailers and foodservice operators. OptiTender Marinade is great for:
- Frozen processed pork applications
- Ready meal manufacturing
- Cook-in-bag applications
- Slow-cook processes where cooking time is a production bottleneck
Product Portfolio
The OptiTender Marinade line includes multiple flavor profiles, including:
- Beef Fajitas Marinade
- Citrus BBQ Type Marinade
- Pork Carnitas Marinade
- Smoky Au Jus Marinade
- Vietnamese Style Lemongrass Marinade
OptiTender Marinade is available for purchase in the Canada, United States and Mexico. Visit https://griffithfoods.com/na/product/optitender-marinade for more information.
About Griffith Foods
Griffith Foods is a global product development partner supporting food companies to meet the evolving needs of consumers with high-quality, customized products. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, the company is known for collaborative innovation guided by its purpose to “blend care and creativity to nourish the world.” Griffith Foods, operating in over 40 countries, is helping to catalyze and build a sustainable food system. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com
[1] Mintel Sep. 2023 Global Consumer – Food & Drink
Global Data Nov. 2023, 2024, Global Survey
[2] Datassential 2024
