Q’Sai opens US subsidiary to share Japanese health staples with American audiences
The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and will mark its entry into the US with the launch of its fujiKale product, a 100% USDA certified organic kale in ultra-fine powder that can be mixed with water.
Murray Brannen, Q’Sai USA, CEO, told NutraIngredients-USA that the current business model is to sell finished products direct to consumer. “Regarding ingredients, we are weighing whether we should sell directly to manufacturers.”
“We are exploring options to sell the organic kale powder in bulk,” he added. “If we did, they could be used by US supplement and food/beverage manufacturers. We should probably have more direction on this over the next 4-6 weeks.”
A climate ideal for cultivating kale
Brannen added that the kale that is grown for fujiKale is nurtured in the mineral rich soils of Shimane Prefecture, on the main island of Honshu, in southern Japan. “The climate there is ideal for cultivating kale,” he said, “and the fields have been organic for 30 years.
“The area has a humid subtropical climate and it has hot humid summers and relatively mild winters. The area also sees on average about 1,600 mm (63 in) of precipitation per year, with a stretch of more intense precipitation between the months of June and September. The average temperature is 16.3 °C (61 °F), 70% humidity. Roughly 40% of the year is cloudy.”
According to the company, Q’Sai has privately conducted several clinical trials that identify various ways squeezed kale and kale powder support a healthy life.
Leader
Q’Sai Group is one of Japan’s leading health and wellness companies, and plays in the health, foods, ingredients and cosmetic sectors. According to the latest direct sales data (2013), the group was number one in kale beverage direct sales, number one in collagen-processed food direct sales, number one in blood pressure FOSHU (Food for Specified Uses) direct sales, and number one in blood glucose level FOSHU direct sales.
Following the kale product, Brannen told us that the company expects to have available a new joint support powder product called Glucosamine Z available in April. “We feel the product will be revolutionary because the product is ingested through a powder form versus pills or supplements,” he said. “It is ultra-concentrated glucosamine in a slightly sweet powder that dissolves instantly in your mouth. No need to mix it with any drinks. The acting ingredient is N-Acetyl Glucosamine.”
