Plant-based foods are gaining attention due to increasing consumer interest in health, savings, and SDGs. On February 28, 2023, Marine Foods, a manufacturer and seller of cheese and margarine, held a new product announcement event for "Stilino," their plant-based cheese alternative.

Marine Foods Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyonaka City, Osaka; President: Naoki Yoshimura; hereinafter referred to as Marine Foods) has been a leading company in the plant-based food market since 2007, developing and selling "Stilino," a cheese alternative made from plant-derived ingredients.

The company has now developed a new generation of "Stilino," which is even more delicious with improved flavor and healthier with further reduced cholesterol. Marine Foods will begin sequentially launching new products using the new "Stilino" in early March.

The new product lineup includes five types and 16 items: "98% Less Cholesterol Healthy Shredded," "98% Less Cholesterol Melty Healthy Slices," "Melty Gouda Cheese Blend," "Mozzarelino Blend," and "Milk-Eating Candy Cheese Blend Plain/With Camembert."

The new "Stilino" retains the unique characteristics of the previous product, such as its soft texture even when cold, while incorporating adjustments to the ingredient ratios to bring it closer to the taste of real cheese. This has resulted in improved flavor, increased cholesterol reduction, and a product that is both more delicious and healthier. Furthermore, it offers a more affordable price compared to conventional natural cheeses and the previous product.

In today's climate of rising prices due to the weak yen, this product can be a savior for household budgets. From the perspectives of SDGs and cost-effectiveness, it is a product that warrants attention for its future developments.

■ Development Background
Spurred by a growing consumer focus on health since the COVID-19 pandemic, the plant-based alternative food market has expanded approximately fivefold between 2010 and 2020 (Source: TPC Marketing Research Corp.). Amidst rising prices, consumers are increasingly seeking savings. "Stilino" has gained customer support by offering the unique value of being both healthy and affordable, qualities not typically found in cheese. Last year, sales of Stilino-related products increased by 23.1% year-on-year. As a pioneer in cheese alternatives and a market leader in plant-based foods, Marine Foods embarked on this development with the desire to provide customers with even healthier, more affordable, and delicious products that meet their needs.

■ The Story and Commitment Behind the Evolved "Stilino"
The newly launched "Stilino" involved extensive trial and error, including adjusting ingredient ratios, to bring it closer to real cheese than the previous product. Modifying the ingredient proportions without compromising taste, as was done with the previous product, presented a significant challenge. Through over 200 prototypes, we pursued enhanced deliciousness by improving the milky flavor compared to the previous product. This product received the highest evaluation*1 compared to those released previously in terms of appearance and flavor. In addition to flavor improvement, we succeeded in increasing the cholesterol reduction rate from 97% off in the previous product to 98% off*2, creating a product that combines both taste and health benefits. The quality of this product is supported by the knowledge and unique technology that Marine Foods has cultivated over approximately 16 years of developing and selling cheese alternatives, resulting in a quality that cannot be replicated by competitors.
*1 Based on Marine Foods' internal sensory evaluation.
*2 Comparison with standard Gouda cheese.

■ What is "Stilino"?
"Stilino" is a cheese alternative developed by Marine Foods in 2007, using vegetable oils instead of milk fat, the main component of cheese. Because it uses vegetable oils instead of milk fat, it has reduced cholesterol compared to regular natural cheese. Additionally, vegetable oils are less susceptible to price fluctuations than milk fat, making them less affected by raw material price hikes. When offering products to customers, it is possible to develop a wide variety of items by varying the blend ratio of "Stilino" and natural cheese.

98% Less Cholesterol Healthy Shredded
This is a shredded product made with 100% "Stilino" cheese alternative.
Product Name: 98% Less Cholesterol Healthy Shredded
Contents: 200g/300g/500g/1000g
Launch: Sequentially from March 2023
Price: ¥448 (excluding tax) for 300g

98% Less Cholesterol Melty Healthy Slices
This is a sliced product made with 100% "Stilino" cheese alternative.
Product Name: 98% Less Cholesterol Melty Healthy Slices
Contents: 105g/180g
Launch: Sequentially from March 2023
Price: ¥170 (excluding tax) for 105g

Melty Gouda Cheese Blend
This is a shredded product blended with 20% natural cheese and 80% "Stilino."
Cholesterol is reduced by over 70% compared to Gouda cheese.
Product Name: Melty Gouda Cheese Blend
Contents: 200g/300g/500g/1000g
Launch: Sequentially from March 2023
Price: ¥508 (excluding tax) for 300g

Mozzarelino Blend
This is a shredded product made with 100% "Stilino."
When heated, it stretches like mozzarella cheese.
Product Name: Mozzarelino Blend
Contents: 200g/300g/500g/1000g
Launch: Sequentially from March 2023
Price: ¥580 (excluding tax) for 300g

Milk-Eating Candy Cheese Blend
This is a candy-type product blended with natural cheese and "Stilino."
The "Plain" variety includes milk for a mellow finish, and the "With Camembert" variety contains camembert cheese powder.
Two types: "Plain" and "With Camembert."
Product Name: Milk-Eating Candy Cheese Blend Plain
Milk-Eating Candy Cheese Blend With Camembert
Contents: 100g
Launch: Sequentially from March 2023
Price: ¥318 (excluding tax)

Original Recipe Supervised by Popular Chef Amin
Amin, a popular chef active in magazines, TV, and radio, who is also a mother raising three growing children, supervised a healthy and affordable original recipe, "Chicken Breast Cheese-Style Bake," using the new "Mozzarelino Blend."

Amin
Chef. A mother of three growing children, she proposes home-cooked meals that delight her family using readily available ingredients. She shares easy recipes on her blog and Instagram. Active in magazines, TV, and radio. Her book is "Amin's Easy! Delicious Budget-Friendly Side Dishes" (published by One Publishing).
Blog:https://ameblo.jp/a-min296/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/a_min296/?hl=ja