Five of Kirin’s Proprietary Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma Products Registered as “Foods with Function Claims”

- First-ever Immune System Support Foods to Become Available in Japan -

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (TOKYO:2503) announced today that five of its products^*1 that utilize Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma were registered as Foods with Function Claims with Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA). This is the first time that an immune system-related product has been registered in Japan. When registration is accepted by the CAA, labeling of “function claims” (usually health benefits) on products becomes possible. This registration provides the value of reliability and reassurance for consumers when choosing products.
*1: Three soft drinks and two supplements, to be announced at a later date.

The Kirin Group Vision 2027 sets out the broad goal of creating value across the world of food & beverages to pharmaceuticals and becoming a global leader in CSV^*2. To augment the Group’s existing Food & Beverages domain and Pharmaceuticals domain, the Group has launched a new Health Science domain to help people stay fit and healthy by leveraging advanced fermentation and biotechnology the Group has amassed over the years. One example of this is leveraging the Group’s 35 years of research that led to the development of Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma, jointly developed across Group companies. Moving forward, Kirin Group will accelerate domestic sales as well as expand overseas sales of products that utilize Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma, leading to further contribution to the health and well-being of the global community.
*2: Creating Shared Value. Combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

Kirin’s proprietary Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma

The Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma is a type strain of Lactococcus lactis, which is a natural lactic acid bacterium mainly used for the fermentation of cheese and yogurt. The Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma is a product of joint research by Kirin Holdings, Koiwai Dairy Products, and Kyowa Hakko Bio, and a number of relevant papers have been published and many presentations have been given at medical societies in cooperation with medical schools and research institutions.

Summary of the Functional Food Labeling Registration to the CAA

This product contains Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma. It has been shown to support maintenance of the immune system in healthy individuals by stimulating pDC (plasmacytoid dendritic cells).

[Functional Ingredient]
Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (100billion/day)

Container and Packaging Label Information

1. “Supports maintenance of the immune system in healthy individuals” (excerpt from the above registration summary)
2. “World’s first* lactic acid bacterium that stimulates pDC”
   *: World’s first-ever published paper on the effects of Lactic acid bacterium on pDC
   (Based on published material medical periodicals’ websites and PubMed)