Frutarom Health BU, Switzerland, has forayed into the Latin American market with its portfolio of ingredients for the functional food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and cosmetics markets.

Frutarom noted that Latin America is an important market for the company as it has average population growth of 6%, and a significant market size in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and functional foods.

Frutarom Health BU has appointed José Blásquez Fernández as sales manager for Spain and Latin America. Blásquez previously worked for Cognis from 1988 through 2011 and had achieved market-share successes in both Spain and Latin America. He will be responsible for developing this market based on Frutarom's new strategic plan for the region.

Frutarom's Health Business Unit sales and marketing global vice president Raul Cortada said that Blásquez will focus on introducing Frutarom's health ingredients in Latin America and offer expertise in blending health in final functional food products.

"Our main challenge would be to help food manufacturers with fortification of dairy, breads, beverages and margarine via our extensive health active ingredients including our botanic extracts line," Cortada added.

Frutarom, which offers flavor and ingredients, provides advanced solutions for the food & beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.