#Japan #Tokyo #Employee Health #Kewpie #Salad Education

Kewpie Corporation Gains Recognition for Employee Health Initiatives

Kewpie Corporation, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, led by President Mitsuru Takamiya, has achieved a significant milestone by being recognized as a '2026 Model Corporation for Health Education' by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This prestigious designation is awarded to companies that actively promote nutritional education among their employees.

As a leading force in the salad industry, Kewpie is dedicated to enhancing public health and wellness through its unique initiatives aimed at making salads a staple in daily diets. By encouraging their staff to adopt healthier eating habits, Kewpie aims to contribute positively to the global food landscape. This recognition comes as a result of their ongoing efforts to engage employees in health education through various programs, including experiential workshops and awareness events in the company cafeteria.

Promoting Salad Consumption in the Workplace

Kewpie understands the importance of making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable, which is why they have implemented a number of innovative 'salad initiatives' across their nationwide offices and factories. Every other month, designated days such as the 'Salad Day' on the 31st, and special days for seasonal vegetables in May and August, are established to encourage employees to consume salads made with Kewpie products and locally sourced vegetables. Moreover, the company regularly holds events utilizing a Veggie Meter®, which assesses vegetable intake, providing employees with valuable insights into their eating habits. Feedback from team members indicates a strong desire for the continuation of these initiatives. Many expressed their preferences for readily joining events in the cafeteria that celebrate the joy and taste of salads.

Impact Beyond the Workplace

Recent internal surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 reveal that Kewpie employees' attitudes toward salads have improved significantly, with the percentage of those who like salads rising from 91.4% to 95.4%. Additionally, nearly half of the respondents feel that their salad consumption awareness has shifted positively over the past year. This illustrates that Kewpie's cafeteria serves not just as a dining facility but as a center for adult nutritional education, fostering healthy habits among employees.

Surveys conducted in February and September of 2025 show a notable increase in the percentage of employees consciously including salads in their daily diets, with 80.8% reporting this behavior by September, a 2.3% rise from earlier in the year. Furthermore, there has been an uptick in the number of employees consuming salad at home two or more times per day, indicating that these workplace initiatives extend to promoting healthier eating practices in their personal lives.

Supporting Healthy Lifestyles

Through its commitment to sharing the delights of salads and encouraging health education among employees, Kewpie plays an essential role in helping individuals maintain their unique approach to a healthy diet. The 'Model Corporation for Health Education' program emphasizes the need for workplaces to serve as vital settings for promoting nutritional awareness amidst growing concerns about the declining consumption of vegetables among young adults and the general public's fast-food reliance. Kewpie's recognition as a model institution highlights their dedication to fostering a vibrant work culture centered around well-being and health.

For more information on the 'Model Corporation for Health Education' program, visit the official MAFF website here.