In April 2023, our Functional Foods Division changed its name to its current name with the aim of becoming a business through contributions to people and society based on the functions of food products. We are shifting to new business areas to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and helping people stay healthy through the functions of food products. Firstly, regarding the realization of a sustainable society, we believe that it is essential to resolve issues such as global population growth and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We focus on developing products that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and the spread of meat-substitute proteins by maintaining the texture of bread and confectionery longer, thereby extending their shelf life, and improving the juiciness of processed foods made with plant-based proteins. Meanwhile, accelerating the development of effective health foods, such as foods with functional claims, will play an important role in helping people stay healthy. On the other hand, some materials for health food have significant problems with flavor and physical properties, making it difficult to use them in health foods. We conduct research aimed at improving the flavor and physical properties of ingredients through the division’s oil and fat coating technology and further contributing to the spread of health foods.

NOF is a member of the Japan Margarine Shortening & Lard Industries Association. Setting food safety and security as well as stable supply as its basic philosophy, we work to further enrich the daily diets of consumers through the use of edible oils. In particular, the Technology Committee conducts surveys and research on the safety of edible oils and actively provides information on such oils to consumers.

DDS is a technology that enhances the effects of drugs by adjusting their physiological activity, targeting of lesions, chemical stability, metabolic activity, and other factors, and makes the drugs act at the required place in the body in the necessary amount for the necessary time. This technology makes it possible to reduce the side effects of drugs and the frequency of injections required each day. NOF is advancing this research to contribute toward improving the quality of life (QOL) and access to pharmaceuticals for patients who need them.
In addition, PCR test kits and antigen test kits were widely used as diagnostic pharmaceuticals for COVID-19, which spread aggressively worldwide. Going forward, as global warming progresses and new infectious diseases emerge, the demand for diagnostic pharmaceuticals is expected to increase. Therefore, NOF is promoting the development of technologies that contribute to improving the quality and performance of diagnostic pharmaceuticals.  We enable the prompt provision to a wide range of people, thereby contributing to improved access and people’s health and hygiene.

The Functional Foods Division provides consumer food products such as edible oils, functional food materials, and materials for health food to companies manufacturing bread, confectionery, processed foods, and health foods for consumers. Integrated information on each ingredient used in consumer food products such as raw ingredients, allergens, genetically modified substances, and locations of ingredient production serves as the basis for labeling and advertising consumer food products. To ensure that labels and advertisements are prepared correctly at manufacturers of consumer food products, we comply with food labeling laws and regulations and provide appropriate information to such manufacturers.

At the Daishi Plant, where the Functional Foods Division’s products are manufactured, we have obtained FSSC 22000 certification, an international certification for food safety, and operate the plant under the management system. The management system has requirements related to food labeling. In addition to regularly checking the latest food-related regulations, we also provide regular compliance education on food defense and food fraud for the employees at the Daishi Plant. In addition, because correct food labels are based on ingredient information, we regularly evaluate raw ingredient suppliers and conduct audits of suppliers when necessary. Through these activities, we manufacture our products using ingredients sourced only from trustworthy suppliers.

The NOF Group recognizes compliance as a foundation that supports companies. We believe it is important to prevent violations of laws and regulations or the NOF Group Corporate Code of Ethics beforehand or take corrective actions at an early stage, so that they do not become more serious or prolonged, and set up a Compliance Hotline on our website for our business partners and other external parties.
To date, we have not received any reports on the following matters through the hotline.
　

Total number of substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy［Covered organizations：NOF Group］
None
　

Total number of customer data  breaches, thefts, and losses［Covered organizations：NOF Group］
None