Part3 New Value in Taste. How MIRA-IKURA is made

As part of the Nichirei Group's innovation activities, project members led by Mr. Takada have been working on the commercialization of cholesterol-free MIRA-IKURA.

We asked Fresh Maruichi, a Nichirei Fresh Group company responsible for the production of fish roe and salted fish roe, to cooperate in their efforts to produce and sell the product on a trial basis.

For the story behind the creation of MIRA-IKURA and its appeal, check Part 2: MIRA-IKURA is now available for people with hyperlipidemia or fish roe allergies!

Part2 MIRA-IKURA is now available for people with hyperlipidemia or fish roe allergies.

Have you ever been concerned about cholesterol in your diet? For example, fish roe has an appealing crunchy texture and a delicious taste that bursts out from inside. However, it is also true that there are people who are not satisfied with salmon roe because of its high cholesterol content and those who suffer from fish roe allergy. Nichirei Fresh has therefore developed a cholesterol-free and allergen-free fish roe-like food product called Mira-ikura. In this issue, we will tell you how we took on the challenge of developing a new product and its appeal.

Tackling the challenge of building a production line for test sales

August 2022.
In order to make a prototype of to be used in a test sale three months later, Takada, together with members of the Production Department, went to Fresh Maruichi's Onahama Factory in Fukushima Prefecture at the time.

What was done here was to build a production line for the plant. In other words, to make it possible to reproduce the ideal grain shape of MIRA-IKURA realized at the research institute on the factory production line. Takagi, who was involved in the construction of the production line at the Onahama factory at the time, recalls the difficulty involved.

Fresh Maruichi
Onahama Plant
Production Manager*.

Masato Takagi

*At the time of development. Currently works at Sun Foods Kesennuma, a cooperating factory of Fresh Maruichi.

Takagi

We assembled the machine based on the specifications we had received in preparation for test sales three months later. When we started production, the size and shape of the grains differed depending on the height of the nozzle and the speed of the drops, so it was very difficult to reproduce the ideal shape. After consulting with Takada, people at Nichirei Fresh, and the plant manager at the time, it took about a month to complete the adjustments.

I am usually involved in the production of fish roe and salted fsh roe but this was the first time for me to try my hand at producing such a new product. Of course, there were some difficulties, but I was able to work with a sense of freshness and excitement in creating a product that was different from the usual.

Later, with the closure of the Onahama Plant in March 2023, the Wakamatsu Plant took over production. Even at the Wakamatsu Plant, there were various trials and errors in the construction of the production line.

Fresh Maruichi
Wakamatsu Plant
Production Manager

Yohei Nagamatsu

Nagamatsu

The production of MIRA-IKURA was completely different from the fish roe products we usually handle. While confirming our know-how at the Onahama factory, we gradually learned how to handle the product through trial and error over a period of about six months.

Mass production after repeated nozzle improvements

MIRA-IKURA is a food product that people with fish roe allergies can eat without concern. Obviously, to manufacture it in a factory that handles fish roe products, the parts and components are carefully cleaned and carefully inspected for over an hour before use.

The Wakamatsu plant is also working on mass production, Nagamatsu said.

Nagamatsu

At the Wakamatsu Plant, members of the engineering department are working to establish a mass production system, including improvements to the number of nozzles. The initial production volume was a few dozen packs per day, but now mass production has progressed to approximately 1,000 packs per day. However, there is a concern that as the number of nozzles is increased, the pressure at the time of dripping will vary. Our challenge for the future is to ensure that pressure can be applied evenly even when the number of nozzles is increased.

Nagamatsu looks to the future, saying, "I would like to spread the charm of MIRA-IKURA even further in the future."

Delivering the value of food that cannot be verbalized

The seasoning of MIRA-IKURA is based on the factory's expertise in seasoning (seasoning liquid) for fish roe, which the factory usually produces. Takada recalls that a major factor in the commercialization of MIRA-IKURA was that the Nichirei Group had all the necessary resources, including factories, research facilities, development departments, and sales channels. We were able to enhance the value of the product as a food by holding discussions and making adjustments while seeing each other's faces.

Takada is also enthusiastic about the next challenge for MIRA-IKURA.

Takada

The feeling of deliciousness is greatly influenced by the people you eat with and the emotions you are feeling at the time. In our interview survey, some people said, "If the people I eat with don't choose it, I won't choose it either." In the future, we would like to deliver such non-verbal values as well.

Currently, the shelf life of MIRA-IKURA is 91 days after production.

"We are also considering freezing MIRA-IKURA in the future," said Mr. Takada. "We would also like to expand this kind of activity throughout the Nichirei Group," he added with ambition.

Currently, Miraikura is only available for purchase on the EC website.
Click here to purchase

MIRA-IKURA (Rakuten Ichiba)

The appeal of cholesterol-free foods, such as MIRA-IKURA featured in this issue, is introduced in [Part 1: Enjoying a Rich and Healthy Diet How to Deal with Cholesterol]. Please take a look.

Part 1 Enjoying a Rich and Healthy Diet How to Deal with Cholesterol

Natural salmon roe bowl, egg omelet, grilled meat---. All of them are very tasty, aren't they? However, they all contain a lot of cholesterol. Cholesterol is actually an important ingredient that is indispensable to our body. In this issue, we will show you how to deal with cholesterol, which is essential to maintain an appropriate amount.

Part2 MIRA-IKURA is now available for people with hyperlipidemia or fish roe allergies.

MIRA-IKURA (Rakuten Ichiba)

Part 1 Enjoying a Rich and Healthy Diet How to Deal with Cholesterol

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