Soy Sauces Produced by Kikkoman Foods, Inc. for North American Market Receive Vegan Certification
- Providing consumers with peace of mind & a variety of food choices -
January 8, 2025
In spring 2024, Kikkoman Foods Inc. (KFI), the Kikkoman Group’s production base in North America, received certification from the American Vegetarian Association (AVA) for nine liquid-type soy sauce products, and one allergen friendly (no soy, no wheat and no gluten) soy sauce alternative for the North American market. As of winter 2024, labels displaying the vegan logo, proof of having obtained certification from AVA, are available for Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce (10 fl. oz., 40 fl. oz.) and Umami Joy Sauce.
According to Dataessential, a market research and intelligence firm specializing in the food and beverage industry, plant-based menu options have increased by more than 60% in the past four years, with continued growth expected. Furthermore, Dataessential also predicts that by 2025 more than 40% of restaurant menus will include plant-based options (*). These results show that many consumers are interested in vegan and vegetarian diets. We believe that labels displaying the vegan logo issued by a leading certification body will increase the trust and peace of mind that consumers, including vegetarians, have in our products. Moreover, we anticipate that this will become one of the key allures and attributes we can offer through Kikkoman products.
In cooperation with the certification body and ingredient suppliers, KFI embarked on the collaborative process for certification from 2020. AVA, selected for certification, is a leading certification body used by major fast-food restaurants and long-established food manufacturers. Through collaboration with AVA and raw ingredient suppliers, KFI conducted a meticulous review to ensure that no raw ingredients used in our soy sauce were animal derived. After undergoing the necessary process, nine soy sauce products, including Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce, and one soy sauce alternative product, Umami Joy Sauce, were certified as vegan. As products obtain certification, we will include the vegan logo on these labels.
KFI personnel in charge of obtaining vegan certification commented as follows, “Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, including our suppliers and the certification body, the process was smooth and fast. We are very happy to be able to offer deliciousness with our products to vegan and vegetarian consumers as well”.
The Kikkoman Group’s North American website introduces many vegan and vegetarian recipes using Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce and other Kikkoman products. Please check these out by clicking on the links below.
https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/vegan-hot-sesame-oil-noodles/
https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/vegan-shepherds-pie/
https://kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/recipes/coconut-bacon/
The Kikkoman Group will continue to offer consumers a variety of food options by obtaining certifications and displaying certification logos on product labels, including those for vegan compliance.
(*) Reference：Plant-based vs. just plants: decoding this exploding trend