Launch of Food Allergen Test Kit 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut'

Morinaga Institute of Biological Science, Inc. (Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama; President: Minoru Morita), a subsidiary of Morinaga & Co., Ltd., will begin sales of the 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut' on April 6, 2026. This kit is designed for food allergen testing specifically targeting cashew nuts.

### Background
In recent years, the number of patients with tree nut allergies has surged. According to the FY2024 'National Survey on Health Hazards caused by Immediate-type Food Allergies' by the Consumer Affairs Agency, tree nuts have become the second most common cause of allergic reactions, following eggs. Among tree nuts, cashew nuts rank second after walnuts. Furthermore, cashew nuts are the fifth most common cause of anaphylactic shock, highlighting the high risk they pose to allergic individuals.

In response to these findings, the Food Labeling Standards were amended on April 1, 2026, officially adding cashew nuts to the list of 'Specified Raw Materials' (mandatory labeling). Previously, cashew nuts were recommended for labeling as one of the 20 items equivalent to specified raw materials. By becoming the ninth item on the mandatory list, labeling is now a legal requirement. While there is a transition period, food business operators must re-verify their raw materials, manufacturing methods, and product labels.

Since March 2025, our company has offered the 'NanoTrap Pro II Cashew Nut' as a rapid kit for voluntary inspection. We are now launching the 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut,' a quantitative test kit using the ELISA method that complies with the Director-General's Notice on Food Labeling Standards (Notice No. 139, March 30, 2015).

By offering both rapid and notice-compliant kits to meet diverse customer needs, we aim to contribute further to food safety and security.

### Product Information
- Product Name: Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut
- Product Code: M2125
- Suggested Retail Price: 80,000 JPY (excluding tax)

Detailed product information will be available on our official website: https://www.morinaga-biosci.co.jp

### About Morinaga Institute of Biological Science, Inc.
- Established: October 17, 1980 (Independent spin-off from the Biochemistry Lab of Morinaga & Co.'s Research Institute)
- Capital: 30 million JPY (100% owned by Morinaga & Co., Ltd.)
- Representative: Minoru Morita, President
- Employees: 40 (as of March 1, 2026)
- Location: 2-1-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
- Main Business: R&D, manufacturing, and sales of enzyme immunoassay kits such as food allergen test kits and obesity/diabetes-related test kits.