With this new work, Keren aims to solve the social problem of excessive salt intake.
Spoons with a unique current wave shape that enhance the salty and umami taste of low-sodium foods are now available online.
Initial sales are limited to 200 units, but sales will continue beyond June.
Tokyo, May 20, 2024(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kirin Holdings Limited (Kirin) as a new health sciences company (Health Sciences Business) will launch 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, was announced on Monday, May 20, 2024 on its official online store (https://electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp/). Additionally, a limited number of units will be available in Hands Inc. stores. Starting in June.
This cutlery-like device is equipped with technology that improves the salty taste experienced when eating low-sodium foods by about 1.5 times.*2,3. This technology was developed through joint research with the laboratory of Dr. Homi Miyashita at Meiji University of the Department of Frontier Media Sciences, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences (Miyashita Laboratory). Through this device, we aim to achieve a society where people can improve their lifestyle in a delicious way.
1. | Third Neurostimulation Interface Research Meeting. March 2023 |
2. | Kirin Press Release dated April 11, 2022 https://www.kirinholdings.com/jp/newsroom/release/2022/0411_01.html |
3. | Changing the rating value for the intensity of saltiness in the sample that imitates normal food and the sample that contains 30% less salt. Tested using chopsticks equipped with Electirc Salt technology (current 0.1~0.5 mA). Thirty-one men and women between the ages of 40 and 65 who were currently or had reduced salt in the past were asked how intensely salty they perceived when eating the test food, and 29 of the 31 participants responded that saltiness had increased. |
The issue of “eating too much salt” among the Japanese and dissatisfaction with the taste of low-sodium foods
The daily salt consumption of Japanese people aged 20 years and over is 10.1 grams*4This is much higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended salt intake of 5.0 grams*5. In addition, salt intake has not reached the “Japan Health 21 (Phase 2)”*6 It targets all age groups over 20 years, men and women*7. The target will be further reduced in the third phase, making “excessive salt intake” the most important nutritional issue for Japanese people according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
In our survey of people who are currently on a low-sodium diet or intend to do so*8Nearly 60% of participants felt there were problems with low-sodium foods, and among these people, nearly 80% were dissatisfied with their taste. If a low-sodium diet can be continued in a better-tasting way, it may lead to improvement in nutritional problems.
“Electric salt spoon“Addresses social issues and consumer needs
“Electric salt spoon” is a tableware-type appliance developed based on the concept of “A life with delicious food for all people” to address social issues and consumers’ needs for low-sodium food taste.
In our poll*9participants trying to reduce salt consumption rated ramen noodles first and miso soup second as “foods they would like to eat with a strong taste rather than a bland taste. This suggests that there is a need to eat strong-tasting ramen as a ‘reward’.” They must abstain from eating it because they seek to reduce salt intake, in addition to the need to enjoy foods that are eaten on a daily basis, such as “soup”, in a delicious way.
Marketing oriented Electrolytic saltwe continued to develop cutlery such as chopsticks and bowls, but first decided to develop and market the “spoon” taking into account the technical characteristics and meals for which there are high consumer needs.
Product overview, sales method and developer comments | ||
project | ||
product name | Electric salt spoon | |
Dimensions | almost. Width 250 x Depth 38 x Height 25 (mm) | |
Weight | almost. 60g (excluding batteries) | |
power supply | 3V Lithium Battery (CR2) | |
price | 19,800 yen (tax included) | |
Features | A weak electrical current is passed from the tip of the spoon to the food to enhance the taste of the meal*, including salty and umami. We’ve improved the technology so that the spoon can be used naturally at the dining table and designed the device with an emphasis 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 on the power using the switch on the spoon handle, 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 circumstances under which this product may not be used (such as minors and persons fitted with a pacemaker or other medical electrical device). Please check “Safety Precautions” in the official online store or on the product box. | |
recommendation | It can be used with soups that contain a lot of ingredients, curries, fried rice, potlucks, 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 in the official online store. *If the number of orders exceeds the number of units to be sold, the sale will be conducted by lottery. | |
Application period | Monday, May 20, 2024 – Sunday, June 2, 2024 *In the case of lottery sales all applicants will be notified on Thursday, June 6th. | |
Shipping schedule | Mid-June 2024 *Sales are scheduled to continue after June. We will announce it on Electric Salt official online store in time. | |
2. Hands Company | ||
Start of sales | June 2024 (planned) | |
Developer comments | ||
Ai SATO Health Sciences Business Division, New Business Group | ||
People trying to reduce salt intake often say: “I understand the importance of reducing salt intake, but it is very difficult for me to continue.” This prompted us to start research and development Electric salt In 2019, finally leading to the commercialization of the product after more than 5 years. I hope it will be used by people who have difficulty starting or continuing to reduce salt Electric salt As a tool to enjoy a wide range of meals and enrich their nutritional life. | ||
Future development of “Electric salt“
Kirin will continue to propose the development of low-sodium cutlery other than spoons and menu items, and we will work with businesses and local governments to expand their use Electric salt And its market. Electric salt It aims to provide services that enable consumers to enjoy eating healthy, delicious and enjoyable foods and achieve a healthy and happy society.
About Kirin Holdings
(food and beverage companies), the pharmaceutical field (drug companies), and the health sciences field (health science businesses), both in Japan and around the world.
Kirin Holdings can trace its roots back to a Japanese brewery that was founded in 1885. The Japanese brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company has expanded its business using fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s All of which remain global growth centers. In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focused on strengthening its health sciences business.
Under Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, Kirin Group aims to become “a global leader in CSV*, creating value across our world from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals.” Going forward, Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in company value.
*: Creating shared value. The combined value added to consumers as well as to society as a whole.
View source version on Businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240519949395/en/
Contacts
Media communication
Corporate Communication Department
Kirin Holdings Limited
Nakano Central Park South, 4-10-2 Nakano, Nakano-on, Tokyo
+81-3-6837-7028
https://www.kirinholdings.com/en/
kirin-cc@kirin.co.jp
Kirin Electric Salt Customer Center (Responsible for Electrical Salt, Health Science Division, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.)
Tel: +81-120-110-293 (weekdays 9:00-17:00) *Excluding year-end and New Year holidays (12/31-1/3)
Email address: support@electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp
Electric Salt official website: https://electricsalt.kirin.co.jp/
Email address: support@electricsalt.shop.kirin.co.jp
Official website: https://electricsalt.kirin.co.jp/
