Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

Customer Safety and Peace of Mind

Food-Related Responsibilities to Customers

Contents

Basic Policy

Our goal is to realize “a truthful and sustainable life for all” through food. We develop and produce enjoyable, delicious foods that take into consideration safety and the peace of mind of our customers, differences in regions and lifestyles, and health consciousness.
We will fulfill our responsibilities to customers by manufacturing our products from their viewpoint throughout all stages, from product planning and selection of factories to manufacturing and sales. We will sincerely listen to our customers’ opinions and provide relevant information at the appropriate time.
With the basic idea of “caring is curing,” we will address the health issues of modern society by valuing daily food. In the field of processed foods in particular, we will strengthen the development of food products that take into consideration nutritional balance and nutritional supplementation.

Goals

We will carry out thorough quality control to ensure food safety and reliability. Nutritional content for each product will be listed and labeled in an easy-to-understand manner, making it easier for customers to choose.
In addition, we will work to realize rich food lifestyles by promoting the production of food products that make the best use of ingredients in accordance with diverse regions, lifestyles and preferences.
We will also focus on the development of health-conscious food products, aiming to have 20% of the total number of product items in the Food Merchandising Division be health-conscious products by 2030.

Initiatives

1. Food Safety and Quality Control

Ryohin Keikaku has its own legally compliant standards called the “Ryohin Standards” and stipulates food additives for use and sets expiration dates based on these standards. We also devise processing and packaging methods to reduce the use of food additives. In June 2023, we joined the Japan Food Additives Association. This initiative further ensures food safety and reliability as it strengthens our ability to gather information, such as on safe amounts of food additives and labeling methods, and enhances our understanding of industry trends. This information is discussed by the Food Safety Committee, which is made up of internal and external experts, and reflected in the Ryohin Standards.
Before launching a new product, we apply the Ryohin Standards to ensure rigorous quality control. This includes verifying whether the product specifications and form will enable the product to safely maintain its integrity until the expiration date, and whether (in the case of foodstuffs) the cooking instructions are easy to understand. In addition, we ensure that the food we provide through restaurants and ready-made meals also conforms to the Ryohin Standards.
In August 2023, we established the Food Safety Committee, which discusses the prevention of and response to serious accidents, in addition to conducting ongoing reviews of the Ryohin Standards. The committee meets quarterly, and in addition to the participation of internal committee members belonging to relevant divisions such as the Food Merchandising Division and Risk Management Division, external experts participate as advisors.

2. Quality Control at Factories

We audit production factories based on the Factory Evaluation Survey Sheet prepared in compliance with international food safety standards such as Codex HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and only contract with certified factories that have passed the audit. By conducting periodic on-site inspections, we ensure continuous safety and quality improvement.

3. After-Sale Improvements

We gather and internally share feedback on products from stores, customer inquiries, defects, complaints, and information on other issues through a dedicated in-house system. The information and opinions received are reflected in product development.

4. Responsible Marketing

We comply with laws and regulations such as the Food Labeling Act, the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and the Fair Competition Code for product packaging and advertising, and use appropriate expressions and labeling that are not misleading.
We do not use discriminatory expressions, and are committed to being considerate of all customers regardless of race, gender or age. We will ensure that information on product packaging does not differ from the contents of the products, and will use simple and accurate language and avoid excessive expressions in product names and copy.
We make product information easier to understand in ways such as using icons that indicate the spiciness of curries and decaffeinated beverages.

5. In-house Training

We regularly update our internal manuals on the safe provision of food in line with the introduction of external standards, particularly HACCP, and social conditions.
To ensure compliance with laws and regulations and the Ryohin Standards, we conduct training on food labeling for store staff and encourage them to take the Food Labeling Certification Examination to deepen their understanding of food labeling. In addition, we hold in-house briefings on the Guidelines for Food Additive Non-Use Labeling announced by the Consumer Affairs Agency in 2022, and are committed to labeling that does not mislead customers.
Tasting advisor training sessions are held for staff who conduct tastings at stores to educate them on safety management to address issues including hygiene and allergies. We actively use the data we collect to ensure that as many staff as possible can take the course, and at the same time, check their level of understanding through a test after the course.
We are also strengthening in-house briefings and video distribution on product information, including product backgrounds, concepts, cooking methods and labeling.

6. Product Development and Health Consciousness

We are strengthening the development of foods with better nutritional balance to help customers in making health-conscious, nutritionally balanced eating a part of their daily lives. We are also expanding our product lineup to include more options that consider nutritional balance and supplementation. We have established our own Ryohin Standards that cover all products. These standards cover issues including restrictions on food additives and guidelines for expiration dates. For processed foods in particular, we are focusing on developing items with better nutritional balance and supplementation, and on clearly communicating this information to customers.
In 2023, we launched Meal Kit frozen food products and the 1/3 Daily Vegetable Soup retort-pouch soup series in response to customer demand for convenient, healthy meals that help people get both vegetables and protein. The tomato soup and pumpkin soup in the 1/3 Daily Vegetable Soup series have a long shelf life of up to two years and can be used as stockpiled food in times of disaster.
In 2024, we launched the Made for Your Skin series of jellies. These jellies enable people to easily take in nutrients and compounds that tend to be lacking, such as vitamin C, lactic acid and dietary fiber.
We also launched the Nourishing Soup series, in which seasonal ingredients are combined with other nourishing elements. To help customers easily incorporate nourishing foods in their daily lives while enjoying great taste, the product is designed to be heated in the microwave and eaten directly from its packet. The soup features a base of spices and Korean ginseng extract, combined with root vegetables, ginger, mushrooms, meat and mixed grains.
Given the growing concern regarding the increase in lifestyle-related diseases, we have developed a series of products with less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.
To support a variety of customer lifestyles and health needs, we have developed products such as caffeine-free beverages for children, who are more sensitive to caffeine, and for expectant mothers, for whom caffeine may have greater effects. We are also reducing trans fats by replacing partially hydrogenated oils with vegetable oils and interesterified oils.
We will expand our range of products that take health into consideration to reach even more customers. To that end, we are planning to launch nutrition-added jellies, freeze-dried soups with dietary fiber and other nutritional products.

Pasta snack cheese flavor with less than 10 grams of sugar

Made for Your Skin series of jellies

Korean ginseng chicken soup with fermented salted lemon extract (part of the Nourishing Soup series)

7. Development of Plant-Based Products

In consideration of food diversification, growing health consciousness and reduction of environmental impact, we are actively developing retort pouch foods using alternative ingredients such as soybean meat, as well as curry and confectionery products made mainly from vegetable ingredients without animal-derived ingredients such as meat, milk and eggs.
In particular, soy protein is attracting attention as a sustainable protein source that can replace fish and meat. It uses less water and produces less carbon dioxide during the production process compared with beef and pork. In 2023, we launched four types of frozen foods that use soy meat instead of meat and mainly use plant-derived ingredients such as vegetables, beans and grains. To make it easier for people who are new to plant-based foods to try them, we have developed familiar menu items such as dumplings and pizza. We plan to continue expanding the development of plant-based frozen foods.

Plant-based confectionery carrot cake

Soy meat dumplings

Pizza with assorted vegetables

Food-Related Responsibilities to Customers | Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.