Initiatives for Achieving a Sustainable Society

Environment

Social

Governance

Food and Health: Creating New Value

Changes are occurring under the new normal, including diversification of consumer needs and personalization of food and medicine. Leveraging the accumulated strengths and functions of the Nichirei Group, we will continue to provide new value that addresses the changing market environment and helps resolve social issues.

Addressing Problems of Drug-resistant Bacteria

Marine and livestock products raised

■Antibiotic-free Chicken

without the use of antibiotics and

synthetic antibacterials throughout

the entire production process.

https://www.nichireifresh.co.jp/product/livestock/detail/?id=376 (Japanese only)

Chemical agents, such as antibiotics and synthetic antibacterials,

Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria That Threaten

Ecosystem Cycles

are used in general broiler chicken farming to treat diseases,

Antibiotics and

prevent the spread of illnesses due to farming conducted in tight

synthetic antibacterials

spaces, and promote growth.

Humans

Food

Livestock

Feed

Plants

  Nichirei Fresh has been selling antibiotic-free chicken since

2004. While vaccinated, our poultry is not exposed to chemical

Antibiotics and

Infection

synthetic

agents, including antibiotics and synthetic antibacterials, that could

antibacterials

Outbreak of

Manure

Nutrients

contribute to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.*

antibiotic-resistant

Soil

Instead, our poultry farming methods take full advantage of the

bacteria

innate immunocompetence of chickens.

Environmental

Atmosphere

Rivers

  Our farming technology takes into consideration the growing

pollution

(Illustration)

conditions and applies Nichirei Fresh's proprietary expertise to

Vancomycin-resistantenterococci

Oceans

(VRE)

poultry farming, resulting in chickens with higher natural

immunocompetence and greater natural resistance to diseases.

* Drug-resistant bacteria: Protecting people from drug-resistant

bacteria (on which antibacterial agents have little or no affect) is

This is achieved through the use of such feed ingredients as lactic

becoming an issue worldwide. Those with weakened

acid, other probiotics, and plant-based herbal medicines that help

immunocompetence who are exposed to such bacteria may not

maintain the health of chickens and boost their immunity. Since the

respond to treatment with antibiotics. Drug-resistant bacteria have

been found in livestock continuously exposed to chemical agents

manure of chickens exposed to antibiotics affects soil bacteria and

such as antibiotics and synthetic antibacterials. As a result of

groundwater, the poultry farming methods used to produce

growing consumer interest in the United States, meat from animals

not exposed to antibiotics is becoming increasingly popular. We will

antibiotic-free chicken also contribute to the natural cycles intrinsic

continue to assess the issue of drug-resistant bacteria while

to ecosystems.

producing chicken in a way that contributes to human health.

Reducing Methane Emissions in Beef Cattle Farming

■Addition of Key Omega (Flaxseed Oil Fatty Acid Calcium) to Feed

Ruminants such as cattle and sheep have four stomach chambers. In the

Mechanism of Cattle Methane Production

process of breaking down and digesting feed, microbes in the rumen (first

(Illustration)

chamber) produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Microorganisms called

Methane

methanogens turn these gases into methane, which is released when the

Factor contributing

Hydrogen

Hydrogen

animal burps. Methane is said to have 21 times the greenhouse effect of

to greenhouse

effect

Methane

Methanogens

CO2, and around 16% of all methane produced around the world comes

Released when

generation

Hydrogen

Hydrogen

livestock burp

from ruminants. Cattle account for roughly 70% of this total and are

considered a factor in the acceleration of global warming.

Inclusion of flaxseed oil fatty

acid calcium in feed reduces

  Research has shown that including a certain portion of flaxseed

oil fatty

methane emissions.

acid calcium (feed raw material processed from flaxseed oil) in beef

cattle

feed improves the efficiency of weight gain, reducing the fattening period, which in turn leads to a reduction of methane emissions. In 2009, with the aim of putting this technique to practical use, Nichirei Fresh conducted a series of fattening trials with the cooperation of domestic beef cattle farmers, JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) and animal research centers in each region and established optimal fattening programs for each breed of beef cattle. Unsaturated fatty acids, which are abundant in flaxseed oil, combine with hydrogen in the rumen to suppress methane emissions. The process also prevents energy loss, which translates into a reduction of feed costs due to a reduced fattening period and increased shipping weights, bringing an economic benefit to livestock farmers.

66 Nichirei Group Integrated Report 2021

New Value in Food and Health

■Meat Production: Focus on Omega-3 Fatty Acids Amani-no-Megumi Meat

http://www.goodbalancemeat.jp/ (Japanese only)

Nichirei Fresh produces and sells meat, and has been focusing on omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for human health. We have improved the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in our meat by giving chickens, pigs and cattle* a formula feed that uses ingredients derived from flax, which is rich in α-linolenic acid. This results in tender and juicy meat, which we have been selling since 2006.

  • Omega-3fatty acids, abundant in blue-backed fish, flaxseed oil and perilla oil, are converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the body. However, the diet of people in Japan today is often lacking in essential fatty acids, which the body cannot synthesize, especially omega-3 fatty acids. By promoting everyday diets that include meat containing a balance of these fatty acids, Nichirei Fresh supports people's health.

Flax flowers and seeds

Comparison of Amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acid (α-linolenic Acid) That Body Can Absorb from 100-Gram Pork Loin

(mg)

436

450

300

150

110

0

* There are individual differences among cattle.

Standard pork loin

Omega Balance Pork (domestic)

Source: Nichirei Fresh

■Meat Analogue Containing No Animal Meat: Daiz Meat

Nichirei Foods is developing meat analogue products as a new undertaking in frozen foods that will contribute to a more sustainable society. We reproduce the flavor and characteristics of meat without using animal meat by combining various kinds of soy meat, including that from germinated soybeans grown using the proprietary technology of DAIZ, which is engaged in advanced research on soybeans. Moreover, through the application of our know-how and technology for reproducing delicious flavors, we have developed products that are both healthy and tasty.

■Possibilities of New Effects of Acerola

https://www.nichirei.co.jp/news/2021/382.html (Japanese only)

In research into the body's high rate of absorption of vitamin C from acerola, Nichirei Foods analyzed the effects of acerola powder and acerola juice on gut microbiota.

  • Our analysis showed that when human gut microbiota were supplied with acerola powder or acerola juice, there was an increase not only in beneficial enteric bacteria such as Lactobacillus bifidus but also metabolites such as acetic acid and butyric acid, which are known to be good for the body.
  • We will delve deeper into these results and conduct even more sophisticated research.

With this, we expect to be able to further clarify mechanisms and utilize the results in new research and development and product development. Food enriches people's lives and by approaching food from a scientific perspective, we aim to realize a healthier society.

Story Creation Value Strategy Management

Strategy Financial

Achieving for Initiatives Strategy Business Society Sustainable a

Data

Nichirei Group Integrated Report 2021 67

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Nichirei Corporation published this content on 26 November 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 November 2021 07:19:05 UTC.