Product development history

Here is a history of product development that began with the extraction of natural vitamin A and has grown to meet changing dietary and social needs.

1949

Extraction of natural vitamin A

Our company’s business began with the extraction of natural vitamin A from fish liver.
Later, when synthetic vitamin A was developed overseas, we diversified into businesses which built on our experience with natural vitamin A.
(We do not currently produce vitamin A.)

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  • Food
  • Improving Agents
  • Health Care

1950’s

1950

Started industrialization of concentration, extraction of fish-liver oil.

1953

Succeeded in molecular distillation of vitamin A.

Detail

Started production of vitamin A through molecular distillation.
(1953)

A molecular distillation system was installed at our Tokyo Factory, which began operations in the same year. We began to produce vitamin A. With the subsequent facility expansion and improvements in molecular distillation technology, our production volume increased spectacularly.

Our vitamin products at the time

1955

Molecular distillation system installed in Tokyo Factory.
Production of high-unit vitamin A begins.

1958

Success in producing vitamin A in powder form using large spray dryers.
Establishment of vitamin A acetate crystallization technology.

1959

Started Japan's first production of high-purity monoglycerides through molecular distillation.

Detail

Started production of high-purity monoglycerides. (1959)

Applying the molecular distillation technology we gained through vitamin A production, in 1959 we became the first in Japan to manufacture distilled monoglycerides.
In 1966, we were honored to receive the 12th Okochi Memorial Production Award for the commercial production of distilled monoglycerides using domestic technology.

Vegetable oils such as palm oil are used

1959

Completed development of meat extract manufacturing technology.
Started production of soup for instant ramen noodles.

Detail

Started production of soup for instant ramen noodles.
(1959)

Capitalizing on the extraction, refinement, and concentration technologies gained through vitamin A production from marine sources, we began the business of producing whale extract.
To add value to the whale extract, we began to produce ramen soup. This coincided with soaring sales of instant ramen during that period, and our production could barely keep up with demand.

1960’s

1961

Started production of medical microcapsules (vitamin A beads).

Detail

Started production of medical microcapsules.
(1961)

Microcapsule equipment was completed in our Tokyo Factory and we began production of vitamin A beads for medical use (at the time). (We do not currently produce vitamin A.)

1962

Completed structure to increase production capacity of monoglyceride.

Launch of feed oil for aquaculture.

1964

Released commercial "Riken Soup Stock".

Detail

Released commercial "Riken Soup Stock".
(1964)

We launched the product as a seasoning for school lunches, canteens, and high-end restaurants. Mainly consisting of powdered chicken, beef, and whale extract, it was the first product bearing our company name that was produced for the food industry.

(current product)

1965

Entered the wakame business, and released "Nama Wakame (fresh wakame) Wakame-chan".

Detail

Entered the wakame business, and released "Nama Wakame (fresh wakame) Wakame-chan".
(1965)

Our procurement of ingredients for vitamin A (fish liver oil) created channels for marine resources, and we began to handle wakame, which was beginning to be farmed at the time.
Delivering the freshness of just-harvested wakame, we launched Nama Wakame (fresh wakame) Wakame-chan® as our first product for household use. Our urban customers had never tasted such wakame before, and they were hooked.

1966

Won "Okochi Memorial Production Award" for commercialization of distilled monoglycerides production using domestic technology.

1966

Released Japanese soup stock granules for consumers.

Detail

Released Japanese soup stock granules for consumers.
(1966)

We launched our Japanese-style soup stock, which we had already commercialized for industrial use harnessing our extract and seasoning technologies, as a consumer product.
Right from its launch, consumers loved the product for its bursting bonito flavor and convenience.

Developed water dispersible vitamin A.

1969

Entered into chemical improving agents market.

Detail

Expansion into chemical improving agent business (establishment of Chemicals Business Department)
(1969)

Chemical improving agents, which we had originally developed for use in food, were applied to industrial purposes such as anti-fogging for agricultural film and better workability for plastic materials.

Agricultural greenhouse film (use of anti-fogging agent)

1969

Released commercial "Demi-glace Sauce".

1970’s

1970

Released water dispersible distilled monoglycerides.

Commercialized microcapsules for health foods.

Detail

Commercialized microcapsules for health foods.
(1970)

We commercialized our microcapsules for health foods. They are manufactured using our proprietary technology which can stabilize unstable materials.

1972

Released "Mabo-Tofu no moto Mabo-chan" for consumers.

1973

Developed a new lubricant for construction plastics, such as pipes.

1975

Released commercial Dried Wakame "Hanazaiku".

1976

Released natural colorants.

Detail

Released natural colorants
(1976)

We launched “Lycesin Y5S”, a natural yellow colorant made from gardenia fruit, and entered the natural colorant market. In 1985, we began integrated production of Monascus pigments at our Kyoto Factory. Today, our product lineup includes paprika and marigold pigments. Using our emulsifiers and emulsification technology, we have a range of products that can meet our customers' needs.

Chinese noodles (use of yellow gardenia pigment)

1976

Developed scallop extract.

Detail

Developed scallop extract.
(1976)

We partnered with a fisheries co-op in Hokkaido to develop a full-flavored scallop extract. We then strengthened our production frameworks to develop it into an indispensable flavoring that serves as the secret ingredient in a wide range of products including wakame soup and dressings.

Released Dried Wakame "Fueru Wakame-chan" for consumers.

Detail

Released Dried Wakame "Fueru Wakame-chan" for consumers.
(1976)

We launched our curly dried wakame, a revolutionary product to meet the market need for a more convenient wakame product with a longer shelf life. From the outset, we provided a wide range of menu ideas to accompany this product marketed for use in the home. In addition to miso soup, people use this long-selling product in ramen, soba noodles, Western and Chinese style soups, and salads.

1977

Released commercial "Potage Ace Cone".

1979

Released commercial "Chicken Broth".

1980’s

1980

Completed the installation of a fully automated molecular distillation system in the Osaka Factory.

1980

Released commercial "Bechamel Sauce".

Detail

Released commercial "Bechamel Sauce".
(1980)

White sauce can be used not only in Japanese cream stews but also in clam chowder, au gratin, and many other dishes. The current product contains cheese and butter and is even creamier than before.

(current product)

1981

Released "Wakame Soup" for consumers.

Detail

Released "Wakame Soup" for consumers.
(1981)

Instant soup consisting of small packets of “Fueru Wakame®” and soup granules flavored with Hokkaido scallop extract.
Sales exploded as soon as the product was launched, and the product won the Japan Food Journal’s 1982 Hit Food Product Award.

1982

Released "Mabo-Nasu no moto" for consumers.
"Wakame Soup" won the "Superior Hit Product Award" of the "Hit Food Product Award".

1983

Installed ultra-low temperature spray cooler in Osaka Factory.
Developed a colorant from Monascus purpureus.

Tokyo Factory expanded to include pharmaceutical GMP facility.
Constructed facility for vitamin E in the Chiba Factory.
Started a full-scale production of vitamin E.

Detail

Started a full-scale production of vitamin E in the Chiba Factory.
(1983)

A facility for vitamin E extraction and refinement was completed in the Chiba Factory, and full-scale production began. Vitamin E is used for a wide range of purposes including pharmaceutical products, health foods, nutritionally fortified foods, and antioxidants.

Cereal (use of nutritionally fortified food)

1988

Completed construction of a fully automated system for monoglyceride production in Chiba Factory.

1988

Released "Katsuo-chan granule" Japanese soup stock granules for consumers.

1989

Released traditional Japanese sweets mix.
Started production of the additive master batch.

Detail

Started production of the additive master batch.
(1989)

It is a product for blending various compounding agents into different kinds of resins. These include anti-fogging agents to prevent food wrap from clouding due to condensation, and anti-static agents to prevent problems due to buildup of static electricity.

Image: Master batch

1989

Released "Non-Oil Super Dressing (current Riken Non-Oil) with Aojiso" for consumers, which subsequently won the "Superior Hit Product Award" of the "Hit Food Product Award".

Detail

Released "Non-Oil Super Dressing (current Riken Non-Oil)" for consumers.
(1989)

Riken Non-Oil Aojiso was developed as a seasoning to enjoy with seaweed. Consumers loved its versatility with any type of menu, and it became a mega-hit product as soon as it was launched, establishing the brand-new category of “non-oil dressing” which had not existed before.

1990’s

1992

Released functional improving agents for bread.
Released bacteriostic agents.

1993

Started production of distilled monoglycerides at Rikevita (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

1994

Released Chuka Hyakusen series of Chinese seasonings for consumers.

1995

Full-scale rollout of fish sauce.

Detail

Full-scale rollout of fish sauce
(1995)

In 1995, we began the manufacture and sales of our Sea Best® series of fish sauces made from white-fleshed fish.
The sauce adds distinctive body and depth to foods. (Fish sauce: Seasoning made by fermenting salted fish and allowing the mixture to mature)

Conceptual image photo of fish sauce

2000’s

2000

Released "Sozairyoku (current Sozairyoku Dashi)" Japanese soup stock granules for consumers.

Detail

Released "Sozairyoku (current Sozairyoku Dashi)" Japanese soup stock granules for consumers.
(2000)

This product features the natural flavor of dashi and has no added chemical flavors or salt. Since its launch, it has won the approval of people who are conscious of their health and salt intake, and who refuse to compromise on the natural flavor of ingredients.

2002

Released Mekabu fucoidan.

Detail

Released Mekabu fucoidan for health foods.
(2002)

It is a viscous ingredient extracted from mekabu (fertile leaves of wakame). Riken Vitamin has continued research with a focus on fucoidan, the health-functional ingredient contained in Mekabu, which has been familiar among the Japanese since ancient times.

mekabu (fertile leaves of wakame)

2004

Added extra production line for high-purity monoglycerides at Rikevita (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

2004

Released "Non-Oil Super Dressing Selecty (current Riken Non-Oil Selecty)" for consumers.

Detail

Released "Non-Oil Super Dressing Selecty (current Riken Non-Oil Selecty)" for consumers.
(2004)

They were launched as our Non-Oil Dressing series with full-bodied, mellow taste in a home-made style, maximizing the flavors and textures of the ingredients.

2005

Developed an additive for biodegradable plastics.

2005

Released commercial Frozen Sanriku Marudori Wakame.

2005

Released Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) "Wakame Peptide Jelly".

2006

Developed and released yellow colorant products derived from gardenias (Crocetion) for health foods.

Detail

Released gardenia fruits extract "Crovit" (Crocetin) for health foods.
(2006)

Crocetin is a pharmacologically active carotenoid compound of gardenia fruits, which used as natural food colorant. Leveraging our many years of experience in the manufacture and sale of gardenia yellow, we have developed a high-crocetin-content gardenia fruits extract, and have launched it as Crovit for health food manufacturers. Crocetin is currently attracting attention as an ingredient in foods with function claims.

Gardenia fruit as raw material

2007

"Wakame Soup" and instant soup "Osuimono" were certified as Japanese Space Foods.

2008

Released the "Crocetion Eye" supplement.

2009

Released the plasticizer "Biocizer".

Detail

Released the plasticizer "Biocizer".
(2009)

Made primarily from vegetable oil, it is a high-biomass (renewable resource) plasticizer which works to add softness and flexibility to hard plastics. It has a wide range of applications from food containers to flooring and cladding materials.

2010’s

2010

Constructed a new plant for producing chemical improving agents at Kenseido Co., Ltd.

2011

Released Wakame Soup Roasted Sesame Flavor for consumers.

2012

Constructed esterification plant for chemical improving agents at Tianjin rikevita Food Co., Ltd.

2013

Development of SaFE pesticides (joint research) won the "National Merit Award of MEXT in Science and Technology".

2013

Launched pork extract in the North American market.

Detail

Rollout of pork extract for the U.S. ramen market
(2013)

The pork extract produced at Guymon Extracts is marketed to the rapidly growing North American ramen market. At our distribution hub in Los Angeles (Riken Vitamin USA), we also do test production of ramen using pork extract.

Test Kitchen at Riken Vitamin USA Inc.

2014

Our Frozen Seaweed series for industrial use wins the Excellent Commercial Processed food Award.

2015

Released Food with Function Claim "Wakame Peptide Granulated Type".

Detail

Released Food with Function Claim "Wakame Peptide Granulated Type".
(2015)

Launched under the new framework started in April 2015. It is a Food with Functional Claims suitable for persons with slightly elevated blood pressure.

2016

Launched the brand “Tokimeki Kaisoya”.

2019

Our Riken Non-Oil Dressing Aojiso wins the Long Seller Heisei Contribution Award.
We begin the use of the Geographical Origin Test Pass Logo on our Fueru Wakame-chan.
Released commercial “Sanriku Wakame Fries (frozen) ”.

2020’s

2020

“Sanriku Wakame Fries” won the “Restaurant Industry Contribution Award” .

2022

Released Furikake Wakame “Furikakeru Zakuzaku Wakame Korean-style sesame oil flavor” for consumers.

2023

“Furikakeru Zakuzaku Wakame Korean-style sesame oil flavor” won the "Superior Hit Product Award" of the "Hit Food Product Award".
Released Dressing “Indo Kareya-san no Nazo Dressing” for consumers.
Our “Yasai ippai Indo Kareya-san no Nazo Dressing” for industrial use wins the Excellent Commercial Processed food Award.

2024

“Indo Kareya-san no Nazo Dressing” won the "Superior Hit Product Award" of the "Hit Food Product Award".

Riken Vitamin will continue to grow through innovative product development with a focus on our three core businesses of Food, Improving Agents, and Healthcare.

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