[Morinaga Dairy Co., Ltd.] Yamaguchi/Yamaguchi City/Yamaguchi Prefectural University/Yamaka Soy Sauce/Maruhisa/Morinaga Milk Industry -Consideration in Yamaguchi
A lunch box using miso sauce and miso sauce containing Shield Lactic Acid Bacteria (R) is born!
*Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 19, 2024
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Yamaguchi/Yamaguchi City/Yamaguchi Prefectural University/Yamaka Soy Sauce/Maruhisa/Morinaga Milk Industry
A lunch box using miso sauce and miso sauce containing Shield Lactic Acid Bacteria (R) is born!
Miso was developed through industry-government-academia collaboration between Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Yamaguchi Prefecture, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, Yamaka Soy Sauce Co., Ltd., which manufactures soy sauce, and Marukyu Co., Ltd., which operates 96 supermarkets mainly in Yamaguchi Prefecture. I developed a bento box with someone.
Morinaga Milk’s health-friendly miso sauce containing shielded lactic acid bacteria (R) “Makase Choco” (Yamaka Soy Sauce) will be available from September 28th (Saturday), and “Body Amulet Bento” using “Makase Choco” will be available in limited quantities. It will be sold at ALC supermarkets operated by Marukyu from September 28th (Sat) to September 29th (Sun).
This industry-academia-government collaboration was triggered by the “Collaboration Agreement for the Promotion of Healthcare-Related Industries,” which Morinaga Milk concluded with Yamaguchi Prefecture and Yamaguchi City on March 27, 2023.
The Culinary Arts Laboratory, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition, Yamaguchi Prefectural University (Associate Professor Sonoda, 4 students, hereinafter referred to as Yamaguchi Prefectural University) is working with companies in the prefecture to develop “Yamaguchi Health Care Foods” using Morinaga Milk’s functional ingredients. We have been working on “development”. Through collaboration between industry, government, and academia, we aim to resolve health issues faced by society, and contribute to the promotion of healthcare-related industries and the maintenance of the health of Yamaguchi Prefecture residents.
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*1. Overview of developed product*
1. Miso sauce “Makase Choco” (manufactured by Yamaka Soy Sauce) ⑴ Contents: 150ml
⑵Price: 498 yen (tax included: 538 yen)
⑶Sales stores: ALC stores, Atlas Hagi store, Marukyu Asa store ⑷Release date: 9/28 (Sat)
⑸Product features:
・This product was jointly developed by Yamaka Soy Sauce and Yamaguchi Prefectural University.
・A miso sauce with a fragrant burdock flavor made with burdock and onions from Yamaguchi Prefecture, perfect for dressing, stir-fry, and soup.
It can be used for all purposes.
・Contains 10 billion shield lactic acid bacteria (R) per tablespoon.
2. “Body Amulet Bento” (manufactured by Marukyu)
⑴ Price: 598 yen (646 yen including tax)
⑵Sales stores: ALC stores, Atlas Hagi store, Marukyu Asa store ⑶Sales period: 9/28 (Sat) to 9/29 (Sun)
*Students from Yamaguchi Prefectural University will be selling at the ALC Aoi store on September 28th (Sat).
⑷ Planned sales quantity: 1,580 meals/2 days
⑸Product features
・A healthy lunch box developed by Yamaguchi Prefectural University, with less than 600kcal of energy and less than 3g of salt.
I did.
・The menu includes rice mixed with green vegetables and barley, mackerel simmered in miso, minced daikon radish, kinpira burdock, and vermicelli with vinegar.
, fried eggs, and mugwort dumplings.
・We use Yamaka soy sauce’s “Makase Choco” for mackerel stew in miso. – Rice mixed with green vegetables and barley also contains shield lactic acid bacteria (R), allowing you to ingest 10 billion bacteria per bento meal.
vinegar.
・“Rice mixed with green vegetables and barley” and “Kinpira burdock” are conscious of dietary fiber, and have a sweet taste that is nice after a meal.
We are working on nutritional balance (PFC balance), taste, and color, such as adding mugwort dumplings.
◆Shield lactic acid bacteria (R)
Shield Lactic Acid Bacteria (R) is a lactic acid bacterium selected from among the thousands of strains owned by Morinaga Milk, with the keyword “supporting health.” Because it does not impair the original taste of food, you can easily consume lactic acid bacteria with the same deliciousness. To date, it has been adopted by more than 550 companies and in more than 1,000 types of products.
*2. Development background interview*
– Everyone at Yamaguchi Prefectural University who played a central role in the development –
* (1) Yamaka soy sauce “Makase Choco” *
*Q. Please tell us the background behind the creation of this miso sauce. * A.* (Yamaguchi Prefectural University)*
: In November 2023, Morinaga Milk will introduce us to functional materials and research, and we will discuss in our laboratory what functional materials to use and what kind of products to make for the people of Yamaguchi Prefecture. I layered it. We considered product ideas using proteins, oligosaccharides, etc., but in the end, we decided to use Morinaga Milk’s Shield Lactic Acid Bacteria (R), which had been researched in the Yamaguchi Health Lab demonstration project, and fermented foods such as miso and soy sauce. I wanted to use this to create a seasoning sauce that goes well with any dish and can be used on a daily basis, and to develop a product that would contribute to the health of the people of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Therefore, we consulted with Yamaka Soy Sauce, which makes products with a focus on health, and they agreed to cooperate with us.
*Q. Please tell us about your commitment and hardships during development. * A. * (Yamaca soy sauce):*
Although I have made various processed products, I had never made seasoning sauce using miso, so I wanted to create a flavor that is easy to eat and can be used in cooking on its own, while minimizing salt content. It was difficult. We held numerous discussions with Yamaguchi Prefectural University and tried eight combinations. Each time we produced a prototype, we conducted a sensory evaluation at Yamaguchi Prefectural University, and based on that, we made improvements, and it took several months to complete the product. I think we have created something that everyone from young people to the elderly can enjoy.
-Explanation of lactic acid bacteria from Morinaga Milk to everyone at Yamaguchi Prefectural University-
* (2) Marukyu “Body Amulet Bento” *
* Q Yamaguchi Prefectural University and Maruhisa used the newly developed miso sauce *
* How did you decide to cooperate in manufacturing and selling bento boxes? * A. * (Yamaguchi Prefectural University):*
We wanted the people of Yamaguchi Prefecture to know about and enjoy the “Makase Choco” we developed with Yamaka Soy Sauce, so we consulted with Marukyu, a local company that operates supermarkets throughout the prefecture, and they cooperated in manufacturing and selling bento boxes. Now you can have it.
-Lunch box development scene-
*Q. What kind of interactions took place when it came to
commercializing bento boxes? *
A. * (Yamaguchi Prefectural University):*
Initially, we proposed five types of bento boxes with nutritional balance, flavor combinations, and colors in mind. After many discussions, we decided to commercialize a bento box with mackerel simmered in miso as the main dish.
* (Maruhisa):*
This time, rather than small-scale cooking, we will be cooking in large quantities at a factory, so the cooking process will be slightly different from what we had originally envisioned. Therefore, we invited people from Yamaguchi Prefectural University to tour the Marukyu Process Center (manufacturing factory) and explained that it is necessary to consider not only the selection of ingredients, seasoning, and cooking process, but also the cost and distribution format. At the same time, adjustments were made to ensure that the menu devised by Yamaguchi Prefectural University could be realized as much as possible.
-Tasting party-
*Q. How did you resolve the various issues that came up during the tasting event that brought together all the people involved? * * (Maruhisa):*
At the tasting event, while the overall look and balance of the bento boxes was good, we felt that even though they were made using the same recipe, the tastes differed depending on the cooking method, so we adjusted the saltiness. Some people said that the color of the cup, the tray, and the way it was served looked quite different, so we discussed the details with Yamaguchi Prefectural University and decided on the details. He also advised that the labels and flyers for sale should convey that Yamaguchi Prefectural University has put health into consideration.
-Reference-
Industry-government collaboration with Yamaguchi Prefecture and Yamaguchi City (Yamaguchi Health Lab)
Yamaguchi Prefecture and Yamaguchi City have established the “Yamaguchi Health Lab” to support the commercialization of
healthcare-related products developed by companies.
Since 2017, we have been working in collaboration with Yamaguchi Health Lab to verify the effects of food ingredients such as bacteria and peptides on health. In 2023, we concluded a “cooperation agreement for the promotion of healthcare-related industries” with Yamaguchi Prefecture and Yamaguchi City. In August of the same year, we announced the results of a joint research study that confirmed that intake of Shield Lactic Acid Bacteria (R) maintains the physical condition of healthy adult men and women.
We will continue to work together on research related to food and health and contribute to maintaining the health of local residents.
*3. About Morinaga Milk Group*
The Morinaga Milk Group aims to realize sustainability management under its corporate slogan, “For bright smiles,” and aims to “enrich daily life, society, and the environment by delivering delicious and healthy food.” Our sustainability vision is “We will continue to contribute to the creation of bright smiles for everyone.” In order to promote activities aimed at realizing this sustainability vision, we formulated the “Mid- to Long-Term Sustainability Plan 2030” in 2022. “Delicious and healthy”
In addition to developing and selling products to deliver the best in the world and providing services that improve lifestyles, we aim to coexist with local communities and contribute to the healthy and happy lives of our customers.
■Morinaga Milk Group’s sustainability management philosophy – activity system diagram
In order to bring bright smiles to every stakeholder’s face, we conduct our activities centered on three themes: “Food and Health,” “Resources and Environment,” and “People and Society,” as well as corporate governance, which serves as our foundation. We aim to realize our vision.
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