“Electric Salt” is a spoon- and bowl-shaped device that enhances the salty taste of low-sodium food by approximately 1.5 times via stimulation, and was developed through joint research by the laboratory of Dr. Homei Miyashita of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences (Miyashita Laboratory) and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin). They are currently conducting demonstration tests and aim to launch the “Electic Salt” device in 2023.
“Electric Salt” is equipped with a unique electric current waveform Electric taste sensation technology, which is effective when a weak electric current flows through a spoon or bowl. I was watching TV during the year end and new-year holidays and noticed that it was featured in several programs.
I thought that they might have a patent, so I looked it up and found two Japanese applications related to Electric taste sensation, where the applicant is Meiji University and Dr. Homei Miyashita is the inventor. (JP 2021-045399 and JP 2019-212799)
In addition, the trademark “Electric Salt” has been applied for by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, and is currently under examination. (Japanese trademark application 2022-088846)
Japanese people are said to consume too much salt. It is likely to be introduced from the medical and nursing care fields at first, but I would like to try it when it becomes available at an affordable price. (Marron)
Reference article: Meiji University 2022 press release