Hokushin Foods Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ebetsu City, Hokkaido) will release a new summer-limited product in its "Bite-sized Jelly" series, "Kumamoto Salted Watermelon Bite-sized Jelly," starting May 15, 2026. This product is designed for expansion within supermarket produce sections.

### Background In recent years, due to the prolonged trend of extreme heat, there has been an increasing interest in foods that provide not only hydration but also salt replenishment during the summer months. Our company has been developing the "Bite-sized Jelly" series as an easy-to-eat dessert in produce sections, which have high affinity with fruit products.

### Product Positioning This product was developed as a new summer addition to the series. It follows the series' core design: bite-sized for easy eating and individually wrapped for easy sharing.

### Development Points Assuming expansion in the produce section, we focused on the culinary habit of eating watermelon with a sprinkle of salt. The flavor is engineered to balance the sweetness of watermelon with a moderate amount of salt. Instead of other salt-based flavors like lemon or lychee, we chose "watermelon" for its higher affinity with the produce department.

### Product Features - Uses watermelon puree from Kumamoto Prefecture. - Flavor profile emphasizes the balance between sweetness and saltiness. - Easy-to-eat 21g bite-sized specifications. - Individually wrapped for easy sharing and portability for outings. - Can be enjoyed chilled or frozen for a sorbet-like texture. It is an ideal product for light snacking, hydration, and salt replenishment during the hot season.

### Trial Survey Results Prior to the launch, we conducted a tasting survey among student club participants at Sapporo Seishu High School. To the question "Do you try to consume salt during the summer?" 100% of respondents answered "Yes," indicating high awareness of salt replenishment in summer. Regarding purchase intent, 100% of respondents answered they "want to buy" or "would consider based on price." Additionally, 59.5% rated the taste as "delicious."

### Product Overview - **Product Name:** Kumamoto Salted Watermelon Bite-sized Jelly - **Volume:** 21g x 9 pieces - **Suggested Retail Price:** 400 yen (excluding tax) - **Release Date:** May 15, 2026 - **Sales Period:** Until the end of August 2026 (planned) - **Sales Channels:** Supermarket produce sections, etc. - **Shelf Life:** 180 days from manufacture (room temperature storage)

### Company Profile - **Company Name:** Hokushin Foods Co., Ltd. - **Location:** 3-1-1 Midorimachi-nishi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido - **Representative:** Akira Ikushima, President - **Business:** Manufacture and sale of confectionery - **URL:** https://www.hokushinfoods.co.jp

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: New Product