Key Takeaways
- Calbee introduces Body Granola, a personalized cereal tailored to individual microbiomes.
- Customers send a stool sample for analysis to customize their granola mix with specific prebiotic ingredients.
- The product is currently available only in Japan, with plans for future expansion to other markets, including the U.S.
Personalized Nutrition Innovation from Calbee
Last month at the Smart Kitchen Summit Japan, Calbee unveiled Body Granola, a novel cereal that tailors its ingredients to the unique microbiome of each customer. This innovative offering allows individuals to receive a customized mix of prebiotics alongside granola, based on results from a simple at-home test.
The process begins when customers sign up online and receive a test kit to analyze their microbiome through a stool sample. Once the sample is sent to Calbee’s partner, Metagin, customers wait about six weeks for their results, which can be accessed via the Body Granola website. After reviewing their microbiome profile, customers can select appropriate prebiotic ingredients to enhance their personalized granola experience.
Body Granola features color- and letter-coded toppings representing the different prebiotics, which customers can mix with Calbee’s base granola. While the base granola remains consistent for all, the toppings are customized to support specific bacterial strains identified in each individual’s microbiome. This allows consumers to prepare a granola blend at home suited to their unique health profile.
In the U.S., several startups have introduced personalized nutrition using microbiome DNA testing, offering tailored meal plans or supplement subscriptions. However, Calbee stands out as one of the first major consumer packaged goods brands to enter this personalized space, particularly with a subscription model focused on microbiome testing.
Currently, Body Granola is exclusive to the Japanese market, but Calbee has expressed intentions to expand its reach to the U.S. and other markets in the near future. This move highlights a growing trend in personalized nutrition, driven by advancements in understanding the microbiome’s role in health and wellness. As consumer interest in personalized health solutions continues to rise, Calbee’s initiative may set a precedent for other major brands to follow in the innovative landscape of food and nutrition.
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