With this new business, Kirin aims to solve
social issue of excessive salt intake.
- Spoons with a unique current waveform that enhances the
salty and umami taste of low-sodium foods are now available
online.
- Initial sales are limited to 200 units, but sales will
continue after June.
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin) will launch as a new
business in the Health Science domain (Health Science business) a
limited offering of 200 units of Electric Salt Spoon, which
enhances the salty and umami taste of low-sodium foods with the
power of electricity, on Monday, May 20, 2024 at its official
online store (https://electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp/). In addition,
a limited number of units will be available at Hands Inc. stores
beginning in June. This tableware-type device is equipped with
technology that enhances the salty taste perceived when eating
low-sodium foods by approximately 1.5 times*2,3. The technology was
developed through joint research with the Meiji University Dr.
Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media
Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences
(Miyashita Laboratory). Through this device, we aim to realize a
society in which people can improve their lifestyle in a delicious
way.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240519949395/en/
Target and current levels of salt intake
(g/day) (Graphic: Business Wire)
1.
The 3rd Neurostimulation Interface
Research Meeting. March 2023 "Influence on umami taste of the
electric taste waveform that intensifies the saltiness of
low-sodium foods"
2.
KIRIN news release on April 11, 2022
https://www.kirinholdings.com/jp/newsroom/release/2022/0411_01.html
3.
Change value of evaluation regarding
saltiness intensity in a sample that imitates ordinary food and a
sample with 30% less salt. Tested using chopsticks equipped with
Electirc Salt technology (current 0.1~0.5 mA). Thirty-one men and
women aged 40-65 years who are/were currently or have been reducing
salt in the past were asked about the saltiness intensity they
perceived when eating the test food, and 29 of the 31 respondents
answered that the saltiness had increased.
The issue of "excessive salt intake" among Japanese people
and dissatisfaction with the taste of low-sodium food The daily
salt intake of Japanese people aged 20 and over is 10.1g*4, which
is much higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO)
recommended salt intake of 5.0g*5. In addition, salt intake has not
reached the "Healthy Japan 21 (2nd stage)*6 target for all age
groups over 20 years old among both men and women*7. Target will be
further lowered in the 3rd stage, making "excessive salt intake"
the most important nutritional issue for Japanese people according
to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. In our questionnaire
survey of persons who are currently eating a low-sodium diet or
intend to do so*8, approximately 60% of the respondents felt issues
exist in relation to low-sodium foods, and of those people,
approximately 80% were dissatisfied with the taste. If low-sodium
diets can be continued in better tasting way, it may lead to
improvement in nutritional issues.
4.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
National Health and Nutrition Survey 2019
5.
WHO Guidelines 2012
6.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Food Environment Strategy Initiative
https://sustainable-nutrition.mhlw.go.jp/contents/sodium
7.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Basic Policy for the Comprehensive Promotion of the Health of the
People
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/kenkounippon21_00006.html
8.
Target: Men and women aged 40-79 living in
the Tokyo metropolitan area (N=4,411) Format: Web survey
Approximately 47% of all respondents are eating a low-sodium diet
or intend to do so.
"Electric Salt Spoon" addresses social issues and consumer
needs "Electric Salt Spoon" is a tableware-type device
developed based on the concept of "a life with delicious food for
all people to address social issues and consumer needs for
low-sodium food taste. In our survey*9, respondents who are trying
to reduce salt consumption ranked ramen noodles in first place and
miso soup in second place as the "foods they would like to eat with
a strong taste instead of a thin taste. This indicates that there
is a need to eat ramen with a strong taste as a "reward" for
refraining from eating it due to their efforts to reduce salt
intake, as well as a need to enjoy foods that are eaten on a daily
basis, such as "soup," in a delicious way. Directed at
commercialization of Electric Salt, we have continued to develop
tableware such as chopsticks and bowls, but we decided to first
develop and market a "spoon" in consideration of the technical
characteristics and the meals for which there are high consumer
needs.
9.
Kirin Survey Period: January 2022 Target:
120 men and women aged 30~69 who are trying to reduce salt intake
Format: CLT survey, multiple responses allowed. Press release
regarding the results of this research (Monday, April 11, 2022)
https://www.kirinholdings.com/jp/newsroom/release/2022/0411_01.html
Product Overview, Sales Method and
Developer's Comments
Product
Product name
Electric Salt Spoon
Dimensions
Approx. W250 x D38 x H25 (mm)
Weight
Approx. 60g (excluding batteries)
Power Supply
3V lithium battery (CR2)
Price
19,800 yen (tax included)
Features
A weak electric current is passed from the
tip of the spoon to the food to enhance the taste of the meal*,
including salty and umami taste. We have improved the technology so
that the spoon can be used naturally at the dining table and
designed the device with a focus on ease of use and durability.
* There are individual differences in
experience. Also, the feeling may vary depending on the dish.
How to use
Turn the power on with the switch on the
handle of the spoon, select the desired intensity (4 levels), and
use the spoon as you would a regular spoon.
Details
https://electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp/electricsalt-spoon/product/ES-S001/
* There are certain conditions under which
this product may not be used (e.g. minors and persons fitted with a
pacemaker or other medical electrical device). Please check the
"Safety Precautions" on the official online store or on the product
box.
Recommendation
It can be used with soups with lots of
ingredients, curry, fried rice, food in a bowl, ramen noodles, and
other meals in general.
Sales Method
1. Official Online
Store (https://electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp/)
Initial sales volume
200 units (planned)
* Please apply from the product purchase
page on the official online store.
* If the number of applications exceeds
the number of units to be sold, sales will be conducted by
lottery.
Application Period
Monday, May 20, 2024 - Sunday, June 2,
2024
* In case of lottery sales, all applicants
will be notified on Thursday, June 6.
Shipping Schedule
Mid-June 2024
* Sales are scheduled to continue after
June. We will announce it on the official Electric Salt online
store in due course.
2. Hands
Inc
Start of sales
June 2024 (Planned) * For more information, please refer to the
website/ press release of Hands Inc. (URL:
https://shinjuku.hands.net/item/7f/7f-14.html)
Developer's Comments Ai SATO Health Science Business
Division, New Business Group People trying to reduce salt intake
often stated, "I understand the importance of reducing salt intake,
but it is too hard for me to continue." This prompted us to start
research and development of Electric Salt in 2019, which finally
led to the marketing of the product after more than 5 years.
I hope people who have difficulty starting
or continuing salt reduction will use Electric Salt as a tool to
enjoy a wide range of meals and enrich their dietary life.
Future development of "Electric Salt" Kirin will continue
to propose the development of tableware other than spoons and
low-sodium food menus, and we will work with companies and local
governments to expand the use of Electric Salt and its market.
Electric Salt aims to provide services that enable consumers to
enjoy eating healthy, delicious, and enjoyable foods and to realize
a healthy and happy society.
About Kirin Holdings (Food & Beverages businesses),
Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health
Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across
the globe. Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery
which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery
in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with
fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and
entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which
continue to be global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was
established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on
boosting its Health Science domain. Under the Kirin Group Vision
2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the
Kirin Group aims to become “A global leader in CSV*, creating value
across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals.” Going
forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to
create both social and economic value through its businesses, with
the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value. *:
Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well
as for society at large.
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Press Contact Corporate
Communication Department Kirin Holdings Company, Limited Nakano
Central Park South, 4-10-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo +81-3-6837-7028
https://www.kirinholdings.com/en/ kirin-cc@kirin.co.jp
Kirin Electric Salt Customer Center (in
charge of Electric Salt, Health Science Division, Kirin Holdings
Company, Limited) TEL +81-120-110-293 (Weekdays
9:00-17:00) *Except for year-end and New Year holidays (12/31-1/3)
E-mail address: support@electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp Official
Electric Salt website: https://electricsalt.kirin.co.jp/ E-mail
address: support@electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp Official
website: https://electricsalt.kirin.co.jp/