Upcycled Candy Using Plum Vinegar for Salt Replenishment: Kanro Launches 'Meguru Umeshio Candy'

Kanro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tetsuya Murata; hereinafter Kanro), known for Kanro caramel and Puregumi, will launch 'Meguru Umeshio Candy' made from upcycled plum vinegar (umezu), a byproduct of pickled plum production, from Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at convenience stores and station kiosks nationwide.

《Upcycling 'Plum Vinegar' Infused with Plum Extract into Candy! Eco-friendly and Sustainable Salt Candy》

Amid growing interest in food loss reduction and sustainability, Kanro has set a target of reducing food waste by 30% from 2019 levels (per sales unit) by 2030, and is promoting sustainability initiatives. The company has previously developed various products focused on reducing food loss, such as 'Ri Mikangumi' using fiber residue from Kiyomi orange juicing, and the 'CYCLECUBE' and 'Shizuku no Houseki Gummy' series using syrup from dried fruit production.

In April 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced a new term 'Kokushobi' for days with maximum temperatures of 40°C or higher. While demand for salt candy has been increasing year by year, there have been comments that salt candy is 'too salty' or 'too sweet'. Kanro then focused on 'plum vinegar', a byproduct of pickled plum production, a summer staple. Plum vinegar, infused with plum extract, can be used as a seasoning, but its high salt concentration makes it difficult to utilize, and it is often discarded. The newly launched 'Meguru Umeshio Candy' upcycles this plum vinegar into candy, creating a salt candy that leverages the refreshing sourness of plum and moderate saltiness.

When you crave the refreshing flavor of plum or during short summer outings, why not replenish salt easily and deliciously with 'Meguru Umeshio Candy' that highlights the ingredients?

* Kanro Co., Ltd. 'Reducing Environmental Impact through Business'
https://www.kanro.co.jp/csr/environment/

■ What is the 'Heatstroke Prevention Call-out Project'?

The Heatstroke Prevention Call-out Project is a public-private partnership involving local governments, national agencies, companies, and private organizations nationwide, aiming to prevent heatstroke. Launched in 2011, it aims to eliminate deaths from heatstroke through the power of communication, by 'calling out'.

Centered on an executive committee of experts including doctors and university professors, the project conducts nationwide awareness activities together with supporting members.

Official website: https://www.hitosuzumi.jp/

■ Product Overview

Product name: Meguru Umeshio Candy

Release date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Reference price: 149 yen (tax included, 8% consumption tax)

Net weight: 26g

Sales area: Nationwide (convenience stores, station kiosks)

Features: Upcycled plum vinegar plum salt candy

■ Kanro Brands

■ Company Profile

Company name: Kanro Co., Ltd.

Representative: Representative Director and President Tetsuya Murata

Location: 37F Tokyo Opera City Building, 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Founded: November 10, 1912

Business: Manufacture and sale of confectionery and food products

Listed market: Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (Securities code: 2216)

URL: Corporate site https://www.kanro.co.jp/; KanroPOCKeT https://kanro.jp/

Since its founding in 1912, Kanro has continued to create and grow products beloved by consumers, including the company namesake 'Kanro Candy', the first throat lozenge in the confectionery industry 'Kenko no Doro', the No.1 brand in milk-flavored candy market sales* 'Kin no Milk', and the pioneering adult gummy 'Puregumi'. At its directly managed store 'Hitotsubu Kanro', it communicates the appeal of candy under the concept 'From person to person, connecting one piece'.

In February 2025, Kanro formulated its 'Medium-term Management Plan 2030' and established 'Kanro Vision 2.0'. Under the corporate purpose 'Sweeten the Future: One piece makes the heart grow bigger', the vision is 'Creating sweet moments to bring smiles to people and society', supported by four values: 'Creating sweet moments', 'Transforming business foundation', 'Weaving the future', and 'Further evolution of an emergent organization', indicating the company's future direction.

Kanro aims to achieve further growth centered on domestic gummy business, expand business areas and models for sustainable growth, contribute to solving social issues through business, enhance corporate value, and contribute to the sustainable future of people and society.

* INTAGE SRI+ Milk-flavored candy market cumulative sales value brand ranking April 2024 – March 2025

■ Purpose 'Sweeten the Future: One piece makes the heart grow bigger'

In 2022, Kanro established its corporate purpose 'Sweeten the Future: One piece makes the heart grow bigger'. Amidst a rapidly changing and uncertain era, the company reviewed its path and verbalized its aspirations for the future. By further evolving the technologies cultivated through business activities, Kanro continues to challenge itself to create a future from sugar and draw out the power of sugar, accumulating moments that make the heart grow bigger to contribute to the sustainable future of people and society.

【Customer inquiries about this product】

Kanro Co., Ltd. Customer Center

Tel: 0120-88-0422

(Reception hours: Monday to Friday excluding holidays, 10:00-16:00)