It's no exaggeration to say that most Japanese people have tried Kyoto's famous confectionery, ‘Otabe nama-yatsuhashi with tsubuan (sweet red bean paste)’.
Bijuu started selling the Otabe nama-yatsuhashi with tsubuan in 1966 and since then, they have supplied customers across Japan with delicious confections.
A&D's metal detector equipped with oxygen absorber application software is helping Bijuu to realize its quality policy - "Always safe, always delicious."
- I hear there is an 'Otabe Association'. What kind of organization is it?
Shuji Yasufuku: Consisting of Bijuu and azuki bean producers and wholesalers from the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, the association joins customers, products, producers, and us in a line (See note). Azuki beans make the sweet red bean paste inside the Otabe, so we are constantly striving to improve their quality and secure stable procurement through the association.
- I see. So, close attention to raw materials is the secret to the delicious taste.
Shuji Yasufuku: The ‘nama-yatsuhashi’, which is the Otabe dough, is made using Japanese Koshihikari rice and natural spring water from the Uriwari Waterfall in Wakasa, Fukui Prefecture. In our quest for better ingredients to create more delicious sweets, we selected Koshihikari rice for its stickiness and spring water from Uriwari, recognized as one of the top 100 water sources in Japan. We also cook the red bean paste using this spring water.
- What did you pay particular attention to when choosing a metal detection machine?
Mr. Yasufuku: In order to extend the shelf life of our confectioneries, oxygen absorbers are indispensable. In the past, we had installed two metal detectors - one to inspect for contaminants before packaging and one to inspect for missing oxygen absorbers after packaging. We named it "backward metal detection" in our company. This method was time-consuming and labor-intensive and we wanted to simplify the process when we launched individually packed otabe in March 2020.
When we spoke with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company who manufacture oxygen absorbers, they told us that A&D had the perfect inspection machine for us.
- A&D offers an oxygen absorber-compatible option which can perform both inspections simultaneously.
Shuji Yasufuku: After researching extensively, we found that A&D was the only company that had an inspection machine capable of inspecting for metal contaminants in packaged products containing oxygen absorbers. They also informed us it could detect missing oxygen absorbers, which convinced us it was a safer inspection solution.
We actually received proposals for products under development from other manufacturers. However, even if a machine passes a short-term test, it doesn't guarantee reliable daily continuous operation. We decided to trust and implement A&D's inspection machine because it was already a proven product in their lineup.
- Thank you very much. What is your impression using the metal detector?
Shuji Yasufuku: Using the machine has greatly boosted our production efficiency. Less time is required transferring products on and off the conveyor and the time required for inspection has been shortened, too.
- You have also installed a checkweigher which is required to undergo verification testing by March 2027, subsequent to the revised Measurement Act. Have you made any arrangements yet?
Shuji Yasufuku: We plan to ask A&D as a designated verification body for guidance on the matter.
AgelessⓇ iron-based oxygen absorber from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
- Even when opening an individual package, you cannot see the oxygen absorber inside!
Shuji Yasufuku: We chose a small oxygen absorber for the individual Otabe packages, which we fix to the film with food-grade glue to prevent people accidentally putting it in their mouth. When the package is viewed from the front, the oxygen absorber is hidden behind the product logo. We also added a slit on the opposite side to the oxygen absorber, so customers can open the packages easily.
- So much ingenuity has gone into each aspect.
Shuji Yasufuku: Our customers look forward to our confectionery, so we take care in making each one. Nothing would please us more than if people enjoy our "Kyoto baumkuchen" or one of our other sweets.
- Thank you very much for sharing your valuable story with us today.
(Note: We have also made use of Otabe Association efforts in the rice in "Otabe nama-yatsuhashi with tsubuan" and the matcha in "Kyoto baumkuchen".）