ANNOUNCING TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO “THE ORGANIC” MISO SERIES “THE ORGANIC MISO GENMAI” AND “THE ORGANIC MISO MUGIKOJI”

Leading organic miso company Hikari Miso Co., Ltd. is to add two products to its “THE ORGANIC” series of miso launched in September 2024. These are “THE ORGANIC MISO GENMAI” and “THE ORGANIC MISO MUGIKOJI.” Both are crafted from only the finest organic ingredients, using techniques designed to preserve the natural flavors of soybeans, barley, and brown rice. Gentle on the body, gentle on the land that nurtures its ingredients, marketed in a handy, sustainable small size to help prevent food loss, “THE ORGANIC” range will now deliver organic miso to even more miso lovers, with four different varieties to choose from, each with its unique taste.

The new products will be available from March 1, 2025, at supermarkets and other retail outlets throughout Japan.

■ “THE ORGANIC MISO GENMAI” and “THE ORGANIC MISO MUGIKOJI” FEATURES

Prepared from ingredients grown with care under strictly controlled conditions and bursting with natural flavor, “THE ORGANIC MISO GENMAI” and “THE ORGANIC MISO MUGIKOJI” are Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) organic-certified. Only the highest-quality soybeans, barley or brown rice, and salt are used, in proportions finely calibrated to highlight the inherent flavor of each ingredient. Meticulous fermentation and aging of these combined ingredients have resulted in mellow flavors with broad appeal.

“THE ORGANIC MISO GENMAI” is a fragrant miso of robust complexity, with the body and umami that come from careful aging.  “THE ORGANIC MISO MUGIKOJI” has a milder taste featuring the subtle sweetness of barley koji and a fruity aroma characteristic of barley. These new organic miso that not only offer exquisite miso flavor but are kind to you and kind to the environment come in smaller, 400g packs for no-waste consumption, perfect for single-person households.

■ ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PACKAGING

Packaging for the new products is manufactured using environmentally friendly biomass ink, with re-stickable labels for easy differentiation. All product information is printed on the top, thus reducing the volume of packaging materials by reducing the amount of labeling. The pack has a warm, approachable design featuring the key natural blessings of soybeans, rice, sun and water.

■ THE HIKARI MISO COMMITMENT TO ORGANICS

Organic miso has long been Hikari Miso’s main business, in line with the company’s brand message of “Nature’s Best, From Our Family to Yours”. As well as striving to supply the tastiest organic miso, to ensure the utmost peace of mind for customers Hikari Miso has obtained several third-party organic certifications. This includes earning certification in 1997 from the Organic Crop Improvement Association（OCIA）in the U.S. and embarking on full-scale organic miso sales prior to the 1999 introduction of the Japanese Agricultural Standards （JAS), a Japanese national organic certification. Next came JAS organic certification in 2000, followed by the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) certification in 2001, and EU organic certification in 2008. Throughout this process, Hikari Miso has been selling a diverse range of organic miso products in both Japanese and international markets. Hikari Miso’s action plan for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically defines the organic miso sales revenue target as a key contribution to firm to table sustainability. As a leading manufacturer of organic miso, alongside its dedication to flavor, Hikari Miso is committed to sustainable product development.

■ PRODUCT SUMMARY