Kao Transfers 'Healthya' Functional Beverage Line to Kirin Beverage

Feb 02, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The long-standing and popular health-conscious product 'Healthya,' recognized as a 'Tokutei Hokenyou Shokuhin' (Foods for Specified Health Uses or 'Tokuho'), is transitioning from Kao Corporation to Kirin.

Kirin Beverage announced on the 1st that it would be acquiring the 'Healthya' tea catechin beverage business from Kao, effective August 1st. The transfer includes 'Healthya Green Tea' among five products totaling eight varieties, though the acquisition price remains undisclosed.

Launched in 2003 as the first tea beverage to claim body fat reduction benefits under the 'Tokuho' category, 'Healthya' has been a best-selling product, with approximately 3.1 billion bottles sold to date.

Kirin Beverage, stepping in as the new distributor, is focusing on the health science sector, anticipating that incorporating 'Healthya' will lead to further growth.

Kao cited intensifying competition with other manufacturers as the reason for the transfer, believing that a restart under the Kirin Group, known for leading immunology research, represents the best choice.

Kirin Beverage has stated it plans to retain both the product names and the beverage formulations unchanged after the business transfer.

Source: ANN

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