Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 16 hrs ago
Salt-absorption technology is applied to ramen sold in Japan
A food technology designed to reduce salt absorption has been applied to ramen sold in Japan.
Kumamoto startup Toyo Medical developed it with Kumamoto University.
The work began with a goal of letting people receiving dialysis eat ramen.
The technology aims to limit how much salt the body absorbs without reducing the salt in the food.
A Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen chain is offering a version for a limited time, while Sanpo Foods has begun nationwide sales of an instant ramen product.
The technology has moved into commercial products, though the sources do not say how much it reduces salt absorption or whether it changes health outcomes.
A food-salt technology that aims to reduce absorption in the body without lowering the salt in food has been applied to ramen sold in Japan.
Toy Medical, a startup based in Kumamoto, developed the technology with Kumamoto University.
A Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen chain is offering the product for a limited time.
Sanpo Foods has started nationwide sales of an instant ramen made with the technology.
The technology was developed with the aim of allowing dialysis patients to eat ramen.
- Who
- Toy Medical and Kumamoto University developed the technology. A Kumamoto ramen chain and Sanpo Foods are applying it to products.
- What
- The technology is intended to reduce the body's absorption of salt without reducing the salt in the food.
- When
- Nikkei reported the application on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Japan. Toy Medical is based in Kumamoto, and Sanpo Foods is based in Kiyama, Saga Prefecture.
- Why
- Toy Medical began with the aim of allowing dialysis patients to eat ramen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Toy Medical and Kumamoto University jointly developed the salt-absorption technology.
A Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen chain was offering a product with the technology for a limited time.
Sanpo Foods had begun nationwide sales of an instant ramen using the technology.
- Technology developer
- Toy Medical, based in Kumamoto
- Research partner
- Kumamoto University
- Ramen chain offering
- Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen chain; limited-time product
- Instant ramen seller
- Sanpo Foods, based in Kiyama, Saga Prefecture
- Sales reach
- Nationwide for Sanpo Foods’ instant ramen product
1 source
What people are saying
I want dialysis patients to be able to eat ramen.