Product design with consideration for health issues

Through its business, Morinaga Milk Group provides "Health value" and "Tastiness and Delightfulness" with consideration for the global environment and people, to contribute to "ever brighter smiles" and "a prosperous society."

Approach to health value

Through products and services that make use of advanced milk technology, our raw milk base in Japan, and ingredients unique to Morinaga Milk, we will contribute to "healthy growth" and "extending healthy longevity."
We will continue to provide products and services that leverage unique functional materials such as Bifidobacteria and Lactoferrin, as well as our wealth of nutritional knowledge gained through many years of research and development.
We will cross consumer needs with our seeds, will define the "health value" that we intend to strengthen as +5 areas of product provision + educational activities, and will promote creation of value (development of services, products, and research) in each area.

Description of our Health Strengthening Map

Product lineup developed in line with the Health Strengthening Map

Morinaga Milk Group has defined five domains of wellness and supplies products and services in line with our Health Strengthening Map with the aim of contributing to help grow healthy and extend the healthy expectancy of people.
Net sales in FY 2022 in the five domains of wellness, with a focus on marketing Active Nutrition (On) and Physical Conditioning, increased 1.1-fold compared to FY 2021.

Typical products in five domains of wellness released in FY 2022

・Domestic Products

・Overseas Products

Product lineup in Five Domains of Wellness: Essential nutrition

Essential nutrition refers to nutrition essential for maintaining life, and also includes tube-fed liquid foods and modified infant milk powders.
Morinaga Hagukumi liquid infant formula was released in FY 2022.

Product lineup in Five Domains of Wellness: Active nutrition (On)

Active nutrition (On) emphasizes labeling of products with fortified nutrition, and includes products with high-protein or high-calcium content.
Protein Powder(Tanpaku Life) for easily taking protein were released in FY 2022.

・Nutrition for a Healthier Tomorrow Project
The Nutrition for a Healthier Tomorrow Project that kicked off in FY 2022 focuses on the fact that Japanese women do not meet the standards for many types of nutrients set forth in the Nutritional Intake for Japanese Women, and aims to replenish those nutrients that women are often lacking in, as a way of helping women to regain their own healthy lifestyles and put a smile on their faces.
The project includes a column on nutrition that can help resolve issues that child-raising to menopausal women have about their physical condition, as well as product designed specifically to lead women to a healthier tomorrow.

Product lineup in Five Domains of Wellness: Passive nutrition (Off)

Passive nutrition (Off) emphasizes labeling of products that contain no or low nutrients or calories, and includes products with low sugar, low fat and low calories. The sugar-free Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE Non-sweet were released in FY 2022.

Product lineup in Five Domains of Wellness: Physical conditioning

Physical conditioning refers to products that contain functional ingredients and that condition the body (excluding brain functions)- includes products for lifestyle improvement and bowel movement improvement. Foods with function claims for enhancing the condition of the large intestine and promoting better bowel movement like Bifidus Fat-free Yogurt Improves Bowel Movement were released in FY 2022.

Product lineup in Five Domains of Wellness: Mental conditioning

Mental conditioning refers to products that contain functional ingredients and that condition the body, which includes products for improving memory. Foods with function claims for improving sleep like Suimin Kaizen were released in FY 2022.

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R&D system

Range of products to meet diverse needs

Plant-based foods

Plant-based foods were released in Japan in FY 2022 in line with the growing level of health awareness among customers.
Mt. RAINIER Soy Latte and Mt. RAINIER Oats Latte were certified with the Vegan Mark by VegeProject Japan.
Overseas, where there is a high demand for plant-based products, the plant-based foods manufacturing company Turtle Island Foods, Holdings, Inc. based in the United States became our subsidiary in FY 2022, with the view to expanding the range of plant-based products.
We will continue meeting a broad scope of needs by providing both deliciousness and pleasurable food and health and nutrition.

Halal and Kosher Certifications

Morinaga Milk’s bifidobacteria has obtained Halal and Kosher certification. Such certification is an important deciding factor for people of these faiths, and to supply products that customers of Islamic and Jewish faiths can enjoy with peace of mind, we continue to pay close attention to and coordinate production processes as well as manufacturing processes such that we are able to maintain our certification as a company.

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Initiatives for food safety and quality control

Delivering deliciousness and health to global markets

Health needs continue to expand on a global scale, and Morinaga Milk Group delivers deliciousness and health to consumers overseas to meet and build on these needs through business operations including MILEI that manufactures and sells dairy product ingredients, our infant and toddler milk business in Asia, the bacteria product business, the plant-based foods business in North America, and business operations in Vietnam that center on Elovi.
To deliver deliciousness and health, certification is being acquired in each country and concerted efforts are being made to contribute to local communities.

Acquisition of certifications

Morinaga Milk Group complies with the laws and standards related to food safety in each country as it develops its product lineup.
Certification and registration were obtained in America and China in FY 2022.

・Acquired GRAS (*) certification in America
GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) was obtained for two types Bifidobacteria MCC1274 (Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274)
and Bifidobacteria M-63 (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63) in 2022.
Acquisition of GRAS means products have been assessed as being generally safe for as food ingredients in the United States, with both Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 approved for use as general foods in the country.

(*) A Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) designation is a requirement for all new food ingredients sold in the United States, and undergo expert assessments covering items that include the characteristics of raw materials, manufacturing processes, quality control, product specifications, records of use, and clinical trial results. GRAS certification is required when selling food ingredients in the United States.

・Registration of New Food Ingredient in China
In May 2022, Bifidobacterium longum BB536 was registered(*) as a New Food Ingredient under the system required for selling food ingredients in China that are not part of China’s traditional food culture.
Registration as a New Food Ingredient must meet certain requirements in terms of nutrition, health, and safety and comply with the regulatory standards in China. This registration certifies that the product meets the required specifications.
Morinaga Milk is the only Japanese company to have obtained registration for its bifidobacteria as a new food ingredient. Morinaga Milk's bifidobacteria certified for use as an ingredient in infant and toddler foods for children under three years old is the company’s second to be approved, following Bifidobacteria M-16V (Bifidobacterium breve M-16V) in 2016.

(*) This registration applies to use as an ingredient in infant and toddler foods for children under three years.
This means Bifidobacterium longum BB536 can be added to milk and supplements for children under three years.

“Smiles & Health for Children” supporting Children's health and nutrition in Vietnam

In April 2023, we worked with international NGO World Vision Japan to launch Smiles & Health for Children, a program that began in May 2023 to provide meals to kindergarten children in Vietnam as a part of the Tuan Giao Area Development Program in the Tuan Giao District of Dien Bien Province in Vietnam.
The Tuan Giao District of Dien Bien Province supported by this project is located in a mountainous area around 570 km northwest of the capital Hanoi, and is reported to have a high poverty rate of 50% as well as a high proportion of children suffering from malnutrition. There are many children in this region who are unable to eat breakfast at home, so the two daily meals provided at kindergartens form their main source of nutrition. Despite this, the hygiene environment and nutritional knowledge of the kindergartens’ cooking facilities pose challenges, and enhancing both hygiene and nutrition awareness is needed to improve the health and nutrition of the children. This initiative has also been recognized as a project commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam.
Morinaga Milk Group has set up manufacturing and sales sites in Vietnam, which is one of the countries where the company is focusing its business efforts. We aim to contribute to resolving health and nutrition challenges in the region, thereby helping to improving the health and nutrition of children.

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Smiles & Health for Children supporting kindergarten meals in Vietnam to improve the health and nutritional status of children

R&D contributing to health

The Morinaga Milk Group engages in various R&D initiatives in the pursuit of deliciousness and pleasurable food, health and nutrition, and safety and reliability in line with the mission of exploring the great power of milk and making maximum use of its advantages, with the aim of creating a sustainable society and bringing lifestyles full of smiles all around the world.
One of the planned actions in the Medium-Term Business Plan 2022–2024 was to increase the number of R&D Division personnel by around 15% (compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022), so personnel numbers were increased in line with these plans to engage in R&D contributing to health and nutrition.
The fruits of these efforts are evident in the 47 R&D papers contributing to health that were announced in FY 2022.

Functional ingredients and nutrition research

The Morinaga Milk Group owns many functional ingredients that support health and nutrition.
In addition to cutting-edge research into these functional ingredients, the goal is the development of an extensive range of products and applications that combine functionality with tastiness.

・Research on bifidobacteria
We have been involved in research into bifidobacteria and intestinal flora in the more than half a century since Bifidobacterium longum BB536 was first isolated from a healthy infant.
Our bifidobacteria are praised highly both in Japan and overseas, and more than 400^*related research papers have been released to date.
These research results indicate that our bifidobacteria support the health of people of all ages—from infants to the elderly—and help to maintain the health and smiles of people around the world.

* Total number of reports from Morinaga Milk and external institutions, as of March 31, 2023

The results of research into bifidobacteria were recognized and earned the following awards in FY 2022.
Japan Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria Award: Research related to physiological discovery and industrial use of bifidobacteria and lactobacillus
JSBBA Award for Achievement in Technological Research: Development and commercialization of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 that improves cognitive functions
JSBBA Award for Women Corporate Researchers: Research related to intestinal bacteria with a focus on bifidobacteria living inside humans

・Research into lactoferrin
More than 80 years have elapsed since the discovery of lactoferrin, and there are in excess of 9,000(*1) research papers covering lactoferrin.
Of these, the Morinaga Milk Group is a private sector business that has released the most papers on lactoferrin(*2) in the world.
Morinaga Milk is coordinating efforts with external specialists and municipalities to conduct ongoing tests for ingesting lactoferrin in a safer and more reliable way, in addition to obtaining data on why it is beneficial to humans. We will build on this research to develop with the utmost confidence products that are available for anyone.

*1 9,233 reports found when searching on Pubmed (search keywords: Lactoferrin, period: from 1960 to December 1, 2021)
*2 Searching on SCOPUS (search keywords: Lactoferrin, date: November 9, 2021)

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Papers and Conference Presentations
R＆D system

Contribution to community health

– Joint research with local governments and academic institutions on the child-rearing generation and healthy life expectancy –

To support people's smiles and health, Morinaga Milk closely aligns itself to community issues and makes efforts toward joint research with universities, companies, and local governments.

From Iwamizawa, Hokkaido: Support for the child-rearing generation through the fusion of online and offline

Initiative for health promotion and regional revitalization through food in Matsumoto

Since 2014, we have engaged in an initiative to verify the health effects of functional ingredients including lactoferrin, bifidobacteria, and peptides through a system of collaboration among industry, academia, government, and the private sector in the city of Matsumoto and its surrounding area, with the aim of developing world-class original materials.
In 2021, we signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the Matsumoto municipal government on health promotion and regional revitalization through food. We will further expand the scope of the partnership from past research activities for health promotion, and will undertake solutions to regional issues and the promotion of regional industries by utilizing Morinaga Milk's products and services. Looking ahead, together with Matsumoto we will promote activities such as nutrition education and child-rearing support, along with health information education employing digital means, to achieve coexistence with the community.

We will continue to engage in initiatives and joint research that contribute to the health and happiness of our customers and people in communities.

Initiatives for food safety and quality control

Under our Quality Policy, Morinaga Milk Group provides customers with safety and reliability through assured quality control and outstanding technology.
In addition to the FSSC22000 international standard scheme for food safety management systems, we operate systems that identify key quality control points to comprehensively manage food safety and quality. To provide products that customers can use with peace of mind, we set and comply with standards that exceed those of the industry, in every process from product development to distribution and sales.

Quality Assurance System

The Quality Assurance Committee has been established as a body for enhancing the corporate governance structure by deliberating on and approving basic company-wide policy and important measures related to quality assurance.
The Quality Assurance Committee is chaired by the President and Representative Director and is held twice a year to strategically resolve key quality issues, and to clarify and discuss the operation of the Quality Policy and standards.
Details of matters discussed by the Quality Assurance Committee are reported to the Board of Directors.

Initiatives for ensuring food safety and quality throughout the food supply chain

Based on its Quality Policy, the Morinaga Milk Group regulates Quality Rules for each stage of the food supply chain: 1. Product development; 2. Raw material procurement; 3. Production; and 4. Distribution/sales.
In order to systematically control quality based on these Quality Rules, Morinaga Milk ensures the safety and quality of all products it handles.

1.Product development
Ensuring safety and quality from the product develop and design stage through to risk management is of the utmost priority.
Every time we develop new materials and containers, or attempt to master new manufacturing techniques, we carefully verify products to ensure their quality and safety.

2.Raw material procurement

Above all else, sourcing safe and high-quality raw materials is essential for delivering good products.
To achieve this, we have developed a quality control system for raw materials to determine their suitability, and select and use materials with guaranteed safety and quality.
When we source raw materials from a new supplier in particular, we conduct thorough factory inspections to rule out any problems with the conditions of the supplier's sanitation environment, facilities, or quality control system. These supplier inspections are an essential process for ensuring safety and quality, and examinations are conducted together with inspections of raw material samples, quality assurance documents, and other documentation.
We have developed an inspection system that covers prior lot inspections from the raw material procurement stage, to ensure product safety and quality.
Prior lot inspections are separate to the inspections conducted by raw material suppliers, and refer to inspections conducted prior to those materials being delivered to the Morinaga Milk Group's plants.
After delivery to the plant, raw materials that have been checked in advance for safety and quality are subjected to a total of three inspections (triple checks) between the time they are accepted and when they are used.

3.Production

The Morinaga Milk Group began working towards obtaining the comprehensive certification of the international standard scheme for food safety management systems, FSSC22000, in 2013 in order to deliver higher levels of safety and security. Certificate acquisition (including GFSI certifications other than FSSC22000) was completed at 27 food production bases both in Japan and overseas.
Food safety is not possible only by the operations of specific organizations; rather, it becomes possible only through the efforts of all related organizations in the company, as well as by partners, customers, and other parties.
By making effective use of FSSC22000 and by engaging in good communication among related organizations, we will maintain food safety and quality in all of our products.
The Taste Panel Meister system is one type of initiative introduced to ensure greater accuracy when determining shipments. In quality management, the human tongue often proves more sensitive than quantitative measurement in scientific inspections. Therefore, the Morinaga Milk Group identifies employees who possess exceptionally high sensitivity to flavor and certifies them as Taste Panel Meisters. We have readied a system that allows for detection of even the slightest abnormality by the human tongue prior to shipping.

4.Distribution/sales
Morinaga Milk appoints quality control personnel to each storage and logistics center, as well as sales warehouses, to ensure that quality control is properly conducted during the logistics stages.
Additionally, we establish quality rules for maintaining quality in the distribution stages, which include temperature control of products, maintenance of warehouses, handling and transportation of stored goods, and provide guidance and education to employees and other parties involved in each stage of distribution.

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Food Safety & Quality

Disclosure of information to customers

Morinaga Milk has established the Customer Service Center for receiving inquiries and comments from customers.
Feedback and requests that we receive are disclosed on the homepage as part of efforts to provide customers with peace of mind with our products and services.

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Customer Service Center

Maintaining an environment that protects quality and creation of mechanisms for training people

Morinaga Milk Group makes efforts toward occupational safety and health to maintain an environment that protects quality. In accordance with our Basic Policy on Occupational Health and Safety, we engage in health and safety education, identification and evaluation of dangerous areas, and activities to reduce or eliminate these, with the goal of zero work-related accidents.

In 2002, we opened Morinaga Milk College, where we provide employees with education on quality under on the belief that it is people who create quality.

By thoroughly preventing quality-related issues and their recurrence, we will continue to achieve high quality.

Halal and Kosher Certifications

Morinaga Milk’s bifidobacteria has obtained Halal and Kosher certification.Halal foods conform to Islamic dietary laws, while Kosher foods conform to Jewish dietary laws.
Such certification is an important deciding factor for people of these faiths.
In order for our Islamic and Jewish customers to be able to use our products with peace of mind, we not only continue to take the utmost care at manufacturing sites, including the production process, but also work together as a company to maintain and continue our certification. In order to maintain certification, employees from various departments within the company are selected to serve on a committee, which meets four times a year, to ensure production remains Halal. We also pay attention to the handling of the special logo for Kosher foods in a careful manner.
Food is life. Morinaga Milk will continue to deliver products to people around the world that are in keeping with their needs and beliefs to ensure peace of mind.

Related links

Basic Policy on Health and Safety

Respect for human rights and diversity　Topic: Human resource development

Raising Quality Levels Together with Suppliers

Morinaga Milk conducts business with many suppliers, both for the procurement of various raw materials such as ingredients, containers, and packaging, and for the handling of the logistics of raw materials and goods. In order to deliver high-quality, safe, reliable, delicious, and worthwhile products to consumers, Morinaga Milk ensures that business partners know the Morinaga Milk Group Procurement Policy (indicated above) with a view to securing their understanding and cooperation, and to ensuring a mutual exchange of information that strengthens collaboration.

This exchange includes quality assurance certificates and packing material standards for raw materials suppliers, information about the raw materials used (ingredient ratios, source materials, country of origin, allergens, genetic modifications, the presence or absence of food additives, etc.), the safety of container and packaging materials, safety in use, compliance with legal standards (e.g., compliance with residual agricultural chemicals standards), the status of quality control in the supplier’s manufacturing processes, etc.

Quality Improvement Seminar

Morinaga Milk holds a Quality Improvement Seminar with suppliers of raw materials once a year. This provides an opportunity for mutual communication while sharing information on understanding the quality assurance system and initiatives for maintaining and upgrading the quality of raw materials and their containers and packaging and for improving the hygiene environment.

Quality Audits at Suppliers’ Plants

Positive communication with suppliers is important for a supply of high-quality raw materials. As a method of communication, the Morinaga Milk Group carries out document reviews and conducts quality audits at supplier plants.

Business partners understand the Morinaga Milk Group Quality Policy and cooperate to carry out quality audits for food safety and quality issues from a variety of perspectives, such as managing for foreign substances, allergens, etc. When an issue arises, the Group works with mutual understanding to reach a solution in order to ensure a continued supply of reliable, safe high-quality raw materials.

For raw material imports from Europe, Oceania, or other locations, the Group conducts audits for local plants overseas the same way as in Japan as needed (plant visits, remote audits, document checks, etc.). Although it is sometimes difficult to require overseas business partners to maintain the same quality control levels as in Japan, by carefully explaining the Morinaga Milk Group’s Quality Policy to overseas business partners and gaining their understanding, the Group has built both a domestic and international procurement system for high-quality raw materials.

There were no significant risk incidents in FY 2022.