Agro Ludens Wins Special Jury Award at ifia JAPAN 2026

Agro Ludens Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kiyotaka Saga) is pleased to announce that it has received the "Special Jury Award" at ifia JAPAN 2026 (https://www.ifiajapan.com/), held in May 2026, in recognition of its exhibition of rice-derived mycoprotein and rice syrup. Scene from the company's booth at ifia JAPAN 2026 The Special Jury Award at ifia JAPAN is given to companies whose exhibited items demonstrate particularly outstanding potential. At the exhibition booth, the company conducted tastings of products using rice-derived mycoprotein: "Rice and Koji Keema Curry" and "Rice and Koji Meat Sauce." Additionally, the rice syrup produced as a co-product during mycoprotein manufacturing, called "Rich Syrup Made from Rice," was introduced. Last year, at the "Hira-meiki Ajiwai Street" exhibition, the company offered five types of samples and provided approximately 4,000 servings over three days, generating a great response. This year, despite halving the number of products, about 2,000 tastings were served, confirming that awareness of the materials and business is steadily expanding. Encouraged by this award, the company will continue striving to offer new food options to more people. What is Rice-Derived Mycoprotein? Mycoprotein is a next-generation protein produced using filamentous fungi such as mushrooms and koji mold. The company owns a proprietary technology※ that uses traditional Japanese koji mold and solid-state fermentation to ferment rice protein. Compared to liquid fermentation, solid-state fermentation offers advantages such as retaining nutritional components and generating less waste liquid, resulting in lower environmental impact. This technology is attracting attention as a sustainable protein production method. The company's rice-derived mycoprotein features umami and a ground meat-like texture, and is expected to be widely used in food applications. The rice syrup obtained during the manufacturing process is a high-quality sugar liquid that can be utilized not only in the food sector but also in brewing and biofuel applications. ※ Patent No. 7264556: "Meat-like koji mold body obtained from solid culture of koji mold and method for producing the same" Patent No. 7441567: "Meat-like koji mold body obtained by solid culture of koji on grain protein composition and method for producing the same" Founded in 2021, the company's mission is to create new food and energy resources through the development of a rice-centered bioeconomy, thereby building a sustainable social foundation. Its core business, the mycoprotein business, aims to develop sustainable protein supply sources using patented technology for rice-derived mycoprotein manufacturing, reducing the environmental burden of the food industry and offering new food choices. https://www.agroludens.com/