MIYASHITA Homei laboratory in the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences, and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited. received the Selection Committee Special Award of the 12th Technology Management & Innovation Awards (sponsored by Japan Techno-Economics Society), which recognizes outstanding innovation cases that transform the world, for the development and commercialization of Electric Salt Spoon and the promotion of low-salt.
Theme of award
Development and commercialization of Electric Salt Spoon and promotion of low-salt
Key points of award
- It is a tableware-type device that uses electric taste technology to enhance the saltiness and umami of low-salt meals. By making it an easy-to-use spoon type, it is possible to reduce salt in the same way as ordinary tableware.
- Excessive salt intake is a national issue, and the device was evaluated for its potential to reduce salt intake and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
Comment by MIYASHITA Homei, Professor, Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences, Meiji University
I am honored to receive the Selection Committee Special Award of the Technology Management & Innovation Awards. I believe that this award is the result of high evaluation of our idea of controlling taste with electricity and our efforts to implement it in society through industry-academia collaboration. In the future, we will continue to work on further improvements and developments, explore new possibilities of electric taste technology, and tackle a wide range of issues related to food and health. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us, including Kirin Holdings, which has continued to take on challenges with us.
Last month, I published a book titled Frontier Thinking from the Age of 13, in which I summarized the story of the Electric Salt Spoon from its conception to its social implementation and the way of thinking that supported it. I hope that this way of thinking will be put to use and help to create innovation at other universities and companies.
Electric Salt Spoon
The Spoon is a tableware-type device that uses the power of a weak electric current to enhance the saltiness and umami of low-salt foods*1, so that you can enjoy meals such as soups and curries with reduced salt content.
Since 2019, MIYASHITA Homei laboratory at Meiji University has developed a unique current waveform that enhances the saltiness of low-salt foods in collaboration with Kirin Holdings Company, Limited. The Electric Salt Spoon, a tableware-type device equipped with this technology, has been sold by Kirin Holdings since May 2024.
*1The 3rd Nerve Stimulation Interface research meeting (March 2023) “The effect of electrical taste waveforms that enhance the saltiness of low-salt foods on umami” There are individual differences in the experience of this. The way you perceive it may also differ depending on the dish.