Hi-Chew Introduces All-New Line of Sour Candy

• Morinaga America Launches Major Product Line Expansion.
• “Hi-Chew Sours” Offered in Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit Flavors.                                                           
• More Products in Pipeline for HLA “Confectionery Vendor of the Year.”

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 08, 2016 -- The national sales company for Hi-Chew has launched an all-new line of candy called Hi-Chew Sours.  Morinaga America is now taking orders for Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit Sours in a mixed peg bag, and plans to follow up with more new products in coming months.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3e1b8df-fa7f-4ea0-b5bb-ebe2140a72f4

“Hi-Chew Sours are a key element of our aggressive new U.S. marketing plan,” said Terry Kawabe, MA's Director COO, Senior VP.  “With our new factory in North Carolina, Morinaga America is well-positioned for major expansion of our product line.”

Hi-Chew has long been the best-selling chewy candy in Japan, and is highly successful throughout the rest of Asia.  In recent years, the original Hi-Chew has enjoyed unusually strong sales success in the American market, inspiring top convenience store distributor Harold Levinson Associates (HLA) to honor Morinaga America as “Confectionery Vendor of the Year 2015.”  The new Sours version seeks to address demand from a broader set of customers in the rapidly evolving U.S. market.

“In the past, most Asian brands have struggled in the mainstream U.S market,” said Jennifer Moling, MA’s Marketing Manager.  “However, Hi-Chew has achieved an unprecedented level of success, and Morinaga has made a major commitment in America for the long term, investing in an all-new factory, and greatly expanding our marketing efforts for 2016.”

The introduction of Hi-Chew Sours follows the recent launch of a larger new package of original Hi-Chew.  That 14.1-ounce bag is the first product from Morinaga’s new North Carolina production facility.  Original Hi-Chew is also offered in 3.53-ounce peg bags, and 1.76-ounce sticks.

Hi-Chew Sours are initially being offered in a new 3.17-ounce peg bag, and according to Moling, more new product announcements will follow in the near future.

About Morinaga & Hi-Chew: 

The history of Hi-Chew stretches back over a century, when company founder Taichiro Morinaga brought candy-making skills to Japan from America in the 1800s.  Hi-Chew has long been the #1 soft candy in Japan, and in recent years, has also become a hit in the rest of Asia and America, especially among the young.  In the U.S., original Hi-Chew is offered in Strawberry, Green Apple, Mango, Grape, Cherry, Banana, and Melon.  The new Hi-Chew Sours come in Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit.  Real fruit juice is blended into the chewy candy, which is 100% free of gluten, cholesterol, or artificial colors.

Morinaga America, Inc. (sales company) and Morinaga America Foods, Inc. (candy production) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Morinaga & Co., Ltd., which began in 1899 as the first maker of chocolates in Japan.

Contact:
Mike Cline
[email protected]
Direct phone:  951-217-6464

Morinaga America, Inc.
18552 MacArthur Bl., 360, Irvine, CA 92612
www.morinaga-america.com