“I need to start reducing my carbohydrate intake, but I don’t want to give up rice and sweet things.”— Listening closely to these honest consumer　sentiments,Mitsubishi Shokuhin Co., Ltd. offers the Carbohydrate Control series under the Karada Shift brand, which upholds the goal of keeping daily carbohydrate intake under 130 grams. Furikake (rice toppings) and frozen donuts have recently been added to the lineup.

To explore the creative development challenges behind the scenes, including the trials and errors the company faced in embodying the “Tasty ＆ Sustainable” brand concept, the editorial team interviewed Motoki Kawasaki, a member of the Furikake 2SKU development team, and Tomoko Echizen, a member of the Donut 2SKU development team, from Mitsubishi Shokuhin.

“I’d like to cut down on carbs, but in a relaxed, effortless, and stress-free way. I want the toppings on my rice, as well as the rice itself, to be low in carbs.” Driven by such strong consumer needs, Mitsubishi Shokuhin developed Nori-tamago Furikake (seaweed-and-egg topping) and Katsuo Furikake (bonito-flakes topping). Surprisingly, there were few low-carb furikake products on the market until then. Used in amounts of two to three grams per serving, furikake contains only a small amount of carbohydrates. However, loyal users of Karada Shift products favor low-carb options, which help them to eliminate the slight hesitation they feel when reaching for carbs, even low-level carbs.

Furikake consists of granules that are usually made primarily from sugar. The company has reduced furikake’s carbohydrate content by partially replacing sugar with processed starch, a process that posed a technological challenge. Mr. Kawasaki, a member of the furikake development team, explained as follows.

“Processed starch is fragile and crumbles easily in the mouth, which tends to undermine furikake’s texture. We repeatedly adjusted the equipment and water balance to achieve the typical crunchy texture of furikake. Also, as reduced sugar content often leads to a loss of umami and rich flavor, we spent a lot of time experimenting with different ingredient combinations. For Nori-tamago Furikake, we decided to use egg granules to enhance flavor richness and tuna flakes for refined umami. For Katsuo Furikake, we adopted shaved Soda bonito with intense umami. Thanks to these ingredients, we were able to create a satisfying taste that allows consumers to forget that they are low-carb products.”

When you try these furikake products, you will immediately notice the pleasantly firm and crunchy texture of the granules. The intensely rich flavor, the sweetness of the eggs, and the savory umami of bonito make this furikake a perfectly satisfying accompaniment to rice. The products also support consumers aiming to adjust their carbohydrate intake after dining out for days. At a reasonable 138 yen (suggested retail price), the toppings can easily be added to customers’ daily shopping list.

“With prices rising across the board, including the cost of rice, We made efforts to reduce costs in support of consumers aiming to start a low-carb diet even during periods of rampant inflation, including rising rice prices,” said Mr. Kawasaki. “Furikake not only goes well with white rice, but also with Bukkake Udon (cold udon noodles served with concentrated broth) and potato salad. We hope people will enjoy trying users to be creative and try out different ideas like these. We also recommend using the toppings with Carbohydrate Control series rice and udon.”

In the snack category, two flavors of donuts (Old Fashion Choco and Mochimochi Sugar) were launched. Old Fashion Choco offers a generous volume and rich sweetness, keeping you satisfied for longer periods, while Mochimochi Sugar, which is slightly less sweet and chewy in textureｋｋ, is a recommended choice for light meal or an afternoon snack. Both flavors are low in carbohydrates, which is surprising given their satisfying taste. Knowing you can reduce carbohydrates while not compromising on satisfaction helps to sweep away the typical hesitation and sense of guilt that often come with eating donuts.

Ms. Echizen, a member of the donut development team, said she made a dedicated effort to ensure the donuts are satisfying despite being healthy, which had been a challenge when producing health-conscious donuts.

“Our goal was to achieve the texture you’d expect from popular specialty donut shops,” Ms. Echizen explained. “With Old Fashion Choco, we sought the perfect flour balance to achieve that crisp, crumbly bite, making the low-carb ingredients unnoticeable. With Mochimochi Sugar, we used different types of starch to achieve the ideal chewiness without making it too heavy, and we made five or six test batches before finally succeeding.”

Her efforts paid off, resulting in delicious and hearty donuts that fully satisfy the needs for “a dessert that helps consumers unwind and reward themselves,” and “a snack that can be eaten with one hand as a light meal.” Importantly, carbohydrate levels in Old Fashion Choco and Mochimochi Sugar are 45% and 30% lower, respectively.*

*Comparison with CONFECTIONARIES/Cake and pastry/doughnuts, cake-type/plain, Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (Eighth Revised Version) Supplementary Edition 2023

What’s more, to preserve their freshly made flavor, the products are frozen immediately after production. Their appeal is further enhanced by their easy preparation: just microwave for 20 seconds at 500W or 600W, or thaw at room temperature for 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature.

“By storing the donuts in the freezer, you can enjoy them anytime you like; for example, when you have a craving for something sweet in the middle of the night, or when you need a light breakfast on a busy morning,” Ms. Echizen explained. “We What’s more, to preserve their freshly made flavor, experience the delicious taste and satisfaction that these deceptively low-carb donuts offer. We also put a lot of effort into designing the highly visible packaging, which can be placed horizontally or vertically depending on the store’s layout. The year-long design process has resulted in packages that instantly catch the eye.”

With furikake, all you have to do is sprinkle it on rice. As for the donuts, you simply let them thaw or defrost. This convenience makes it easier to adopt the practice of managing carbohydrate intake in daily life. Mitsubishi Shokuhin invites you to start building positive and healthy habits with its new Karada Shift products, which reduce the stress of avoiding carbohydrates and help you to enjoy delicious foods while taking care of your body.