Miyoshi Partners with NCFIL for U.S. Expansion

“We look forward to a bright future together through the unique global synergy our new agreement provides,” says Senior Officer Takao Yamamoto of the new partnership between Tokyo-based Miyoshi Oil & Fat Co. and NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL). 

A B2B oils and fats manufacturer, Miyoshi has operated exclusively in Japan since its inception in 1921. The company now seeks to start introducing its products to the United States’ market in 2023. Miyoshi started with the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) to initiate its U.S. expansion but sought a qualified U.S. partner to help launch its products. 

Yamamoto says, “We understand American tastes differ significantly from Japanese tastes. We also knew our knowledge of the vast U.S. market was limited. Therefore, we wanted support from an experienced partner.” 

After researching their options, Miyoshi’s leadership concluded NCFIL would be the best partner for their needs. Meeting Executive Director Bill Aimutis and Senior Food Scientist Lisa Sand and touring the NCFIL facility convinced their overseas business development team that NCFIL is the most capable cGMP facility to team with Miyoshi.

“NCFIL is excited to be partnering with Miyoshi Oil & Fat Co. to formulate new plant-based foods,” says Aimutis. “We are proud Miyoshi trusted NCFIL in identifying customers and products to introduce Miyoshi to the U.S. market.”

Miyoshi’s leadership was particularly impressed with three aspects of NCFIL: the state-of-the-art equipment; the expansive market intelligence and contacts; and the lab’s capability as a “one-stop shop.” They appreciated that NCFIL can help with every stage of the plant-based food business–from consultancy to commercialization. 

Miyoshi recently made progress developing vegetable fats that taste like animal fats without using animal-derived ingredients. Aimutis says, “These plant-based fats and oils will be invaluable in alternative dairy and meat applications,” products with which NCFIL frequently works.

Bill Aimutis looks forward to this collaboration: “Miyoshi focused their innovations on being plant-based, nutritious, and easily incorporated into formulations. NCFIL product developers will work closely with Miyoshi to develop future generations of plant-based products using these fats and oils.”

Both NCFIL and Miyoshi look forward to their future collaborative innovations. If you’re interested in learning more about NCFIL or Miyoshi’s products, fill out our contact form. We’re excited to meet you.