Photo/Illutration Ham-type food made primarily of soybeans (Provided by NH Foods Ltd.)

With consumers across the world increasingly having an appetite for soybean-based alternative meats, leading Japanese meat companies are jumping on the chuckwagon.

NH Foods Ltd., a leading manufacturer of hams and sausages, will begin selling “alternative meats” for family home use, which utilize animal-free substitutes, starting in March.

The meat replacements, named “Natu Meat,” have five items in the lineup including meat substitutes that look like ham and meat balls made with soybeans, as well as a sausage-like offering consisting of konnyaku jelly.

Alternative “ham” with six slices and alternative “sausage” with four pieces will be sold for 217 yen ($2), excluding tax. NH Foods is aiming to cook up a total of 500 million yen in sales in the first fiscal year in the alternative meat industry for consumers.

NH Foods had provided such substitutes for commercial use since 2015.

A spokesperson said that the company has successfully replicated the flavor and texture of meat.

“Alternative meats attract interest as protein to supplement animal-based meats," the spokesperson said. "We want customers to consider it an optional food.”

Marudai Food Co., which entered the field in fiscal 2017, is producing hamburger patty-like food items and retort-packed foods such as keema curry.

Itoham Yonekyu Holdings Inc. will also use alternative meats for eight food products such as fried chicken and ham cutlet-like items. 

Related News