October 17, 2023

Nichirei Fresh, a Subsidiary of Nichirei Corporation, has Begun Test Marketing Cholesterol-free Salmon Roe-like Products on the Internet

It is made from an ingredient called alginic acid found in seaweed and is said to be similar in taste and texture to natural salmon roe. It aims to achieve full-scale sales in fiscal year 2025 while observing market needs as a food ingredient that responds to the emphasis on the environment and health consciousness.

The trade name for cholesterol-free fish roe-like food is "Mira-ikura." It is produced at a factory in Kitakyushu City, and test marketing began at the end of September at 980 yen per 100 grams through e-commerce. In addition to accommodating people who refrain from consuming salmon roe for cholesterol reasons or who are allergic to fish and eggs, it is also suitable for vegans as it is made without animal ingredients.

Procuring raw materials such as natural salmon oil is decreasing due to global warming and other factors. Nichirei aims to achieve sustainable raw material procurement and anticipates growing demand for this healthy food.

Nichirei has set a goal of tripling group-wide sales of products and services that add value to health and the environment from 46.4 billion yen in 2022 to 140 billion yen in 2030. In addition to "Mira-awake," Nichirei Fresh will also sell pork "Gomanten," which contains sesamin, an ingredient derived from sesame seeds that is believed to have antioxidant functions, in its fat in mass merchandisers nationwide from 2024. The company will strengthen its supply system, aiming for sales of about 800 million yen in fiscal year 2024 and about 2.8 billion yen in fiscal year 2028.