Japan: Kirin buys Healthya tea brand from Kao

Kirin, the leading Japanese drinks firm, has announced it is buying the Healthya tea-catechin business from personal care company Kao to enhance its presence in health-oriented drinks.

“Under the Long-Term Management Vision, ‘the Kirin Group Vision 2027’, we are aiming at becoming a global leader in CSV (Creating Shared Value), creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals”, Kirin said in a statement, adding: “With this transfer, Kirin Beverage will further strengthen and expand its business in the Health Science domain, aiming to achieve high profitability”.

In its own statement, Kao said the sale of Healthya “enables Kao to further focus its resources on strategic measures to execute its structural reformation strategy and optimize its business portfolio to achieve its mid-term plan”.

The deal relates to eight product types (Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) and Foods with Function Claims) under the brands Healthya (Green Tea Beverage), Healthya Umami Rich, Healthya Water, Healthya MyRhythm and Healthya Green Tea Powder.

Kirin said it plans to begin production and sales of Healthya beverages from August, subject to obtaining the necessary permits and approvals.

Source: Kirin / Kao