Nissin Foods


Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. is a Japanese food company that specializes in production and sale of convenience food and instant noodles.

History

Founding and early years

The company was established in Japan on September 1, 1958, by the Taiwanese immigrant Momofuku Andoas Chuko Sosha. Ten years later, the company introduced the first instant ramen noodle product, Chikin Ramen. Soon thereafter, the company name was changed to Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd.. The company established a US subsidiary Nissin Foods in 1970 and, starting in 1972, sold instant ramen noodle products under the name Top Ramen. Instant noodles and Cup Noodles were both invented by Momofuku Ando. Nissin Foods has its headquarters in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.

Recent years and expansion

The company moved to its current headquarters in 1977, when the construction of the building was completed.
In 2007, Myojo Foods Co., Ltd. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissin Foods. On January 5, 2007, Nissin founder Momofuku Ando died at the age of 96.
In May 2011, Nissin announced a capital and business alliance with confectionery producer Frente Co., Ltd. In September 2011, the Cup Noodles museum opens in Yokohama, Japan exhibiting the full spectrum of the founder Momofuku Ando's vision.
In 2013, Nissin's products went on sale in Colombia. An agreement with Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturing group was reached in September 2013, resulting in the creation of Nissin Yildiz Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.
March 2014 saw the opening of
The Wave'', a new Japan-based R&D center, aimed at creating "a wave of the most advanced food technologies". The building has been honored with the Good Design Award.
Worldwide sales of the Cup Noodles reached 40 billion servings in 2016, 70% of total sales were accumulated outside Japan.

Name

According to the company, the name 'Nissin' originates as an abbreviated form of the expression 「日々清らかに豊かな味をつくる」, coined by company founder Momofuku Ando, and representing his desire for the company. The expression can be loosely translated as "purely create great taste day after day".

Facilities and regions

Nissin Foods has established offices and factories in various countries, such as the United States, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Hungary, Germany, Thailand, China, and Mexico. In 2013, Makarneks, the Turkish equivalent to Cup Noodles, was introduced. In 2015, Nissin Foods established their subsidiary in Brazil as "Nissin Foods do Brasil" and became the leader of instant noodles producers. Their products are sold in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Products

Instant noodles

Demae Ramen or Demae Itcho was first introduced in Japan in 1969 and entered the market in Hong Kong the next year. Since then, it has become one of the most popular instant noodle brands in Hong Kong, with a wide range of flavours.

Corporate responsibility

Nissin Foods have been criticized for using palm oil suppliers responsible for the destruction of rainforests, peatlands and abuse of human and labor rights. A demonstration was held at Nissin Foods US Headquarters on 29 June 2015.

Non-affiliations

Nissin Foods is not affiliated with the following: Nisshin Seifun Group Inc., Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Nisshinbo Holdings Inc., Nissin Healthcare Food Service Co., Ltd., Monde Nissin Corporation, and Nissin Kyogyo Co. Ltd..