Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Nutraceuticals
April 20, 2010

A Refreshing New Concept: Whole Soy + Carbonate
Sparkling Soy Water, SOYSH Debuts

Tokyo, Japan - Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President: Taro Iwamoto) today announced the debut of SOYSH, sparkling soy water, based on the totally new concept of a carbonated beverage made with whole soy* this summer.

  • *Hulled soybeans

SOYSH pioneers the new beverage category of sparkling soy water. Each 100ml bottle contains the equivalent of approximately 21 soy beans (calculation based on Japanese-grown large-sized soybeans), delivering all the nutrition of whole soy, including soy fiber. The addition of carbonate creates a refreshing beverage and also masks the characteristic aftertaste of soy. Soy milk generally coagulates when carbonated, but Otsuka Pharmaceutical researchers have achieved a proprietary method for combining liquefied soy and carbonate, the first of its kind. Initially available directly from Otsuka Pharmaceutical's online shopping site, plans call for retail distribution of SOYSH in the future, with global distribution in ambition.

Often described as "meat from the fields", soybeans are a valuable source of vegetable protein, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and unique soy nutritional components and are the focus of considerable interest as a food source among researchers and specialists around the world. In Japan, soy is consumed in traditional foods such as tofu (bean curd), miso (fermented bean paste), and natto (fermented soy beans) and also as soy milk. In recent years, however, Japanese consumption of soy has been declining and young people in particular are not consuming as much soy as older Japanese. (Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; National Health and Nutrition Survey)

Offering an easy and delicious way to obtain the nutritional benefits of soy, SOYSH was developed in hopes that people who are not fond of the flavor of soy and young people who are not in the habit of consuming soy would be able to enjoy a refreshing soy beverage.

Aiming to promote the benefits of soy on a worldwide scale, Otsuka is engaged in an ongoing "Soylution**" initiative, focusing on the answers provided by familiar and widely available soybeans for various human health, nutrition, and environmental issues. SOYSH joins the line of products developed under this Soylution initiative as the newest addition, following SOYJOY, launched in April 2006.

  • **Soylution: Soy + Solution

Based on its corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide', Otsuka Pharmaceutical is dedicated to contributing to the health and well being of people around the world.

SOYSH Product Features

  1. Contains soy fiber, providing all the nutrition of whole soy
  2. Carbonation masks the characteristic aftertaste of soy
  3. Refreshing taste appeals to even those who are not fond of the flavor of soy
  4. 100ml single-serving size, perfect for daily consumption

SOYSH website (Japanese language)

Product Summary

Product name SOYSH
Category Sparkling Soy Water
Ingredients Soybeans (not genetically modified), dietary fiber (polydextrose), sugar, flavors, sweetener (stevia)
Packaging 100ml bottles / 30 per case (5 six-packs)
Suggested Retail Price ¥3,000 per case (pre-tax) / ¥3,150 (tax inclusive)
¥100 per 100ml bottle (pre-tax) / ¥105 (tax inclusive)
Nutritional information (per 100ml serving) Calorie: 51kcal,Protein: 3.2g,Fat: 1.9g,Carbohydrates: 4.8g, Dietary fiber: 3.5g,Sodium: 132mg,Cholesterol: 0mg
Soy isoflavone: 20mg,Concentration of soy: 7% or more
Shelf life 3 months from date of manufacture
Storage Can be stored at room temperature; avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures
Caution People with soy allergies should avoid consumption of this product

Purchase Method

SOYSH will be available exclusively from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s "Otsuka-Plus 1"
direct marketing website or by telephone order, summer 2010
PC & cellphone URL: http://otsuka.jp/
Telephone orders: 0120-390-795 (toll-free)