FSC Certified Paper, Soy Ink, Coconut Shells Used in Packaging
Increase in Vegetarian Population... Last Year Emart Frozen Vegetarian Product Sales Up Over 36%
[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Emart Kitchen Deli is launching the vegetarian convenience food brand 'Oneul Chaesik' and is targeting the domestic vegetarian market, which is approaching 2.5 million people practicing vegetarianism.
Emart Kitchen Deli announced that, in collaboration with the salad specialist company 'Sweet Balance,' it will introduce three 'Oneul Chaesik' products at Emart stores nationwide starting from the 20th.
The products for sale include the 'Vegan Tofu Noodle Salad' (230g) aimed at strict vegetarians called 'Vegan,' the 'Sesame Chicken Salad' (250g) for 'Pollo-Vegetarians' who consume poultry, and the 'Soy Bulgogi Salad Wrap' (260g) for 'Flexitarians' who practice intermittent vegetarianism.
Emart explained that to expand customer choices and lower the entry barriers to vegetarianism, the products were planned in three stages from the lowest vegetarian level, 'Flexitarian,' to 'Pollo-Vegetarian,' and 'Vegan.' Emart said, "We used familiar seasonings such as soy sauce and bulgogi flavors so that even those new to vegetarianism can enjoy them without burden," adding, "To break the perception that vegetarian food is not filling, ingredients like tofu noodles, potatoes, and grains were added to provide satiety."
The 'Vegan Tofu Noodle Salad' is a noodle salad with grilled soy bulgogi and tofu noodles served with vegan soy dressing. The 'Sesame Chicken Salad' is a salad product combining chicken breast, sesame dressing, lentils, and oat barley. The 'Soy Bulgogi Salad Wrap' includes soy bulgogi, grilled onions, roasted pumpkin, and mashed potatoes.
Eco-friendly materials were also applied to the product packaging. All three Oneul Chaesik products use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper and soy ink, which is easy to recycle. The packaging of the Vegan Tofu Noodle Salad and Sesame Chicken Salad uses eco-friendly materials such as coconut shells and minerals, reducing fossil fuel usage and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional plastic.
Following the launch of the three Oneul Chaesik products, Emart Kitchen Deli plans to expand its vegetarian product line to include diet lunch boxes and salad wraps. Last year, sales of Emart's frozen vegetarian products (dumplings and convenience foods) increased by 36.6% compared to 2020. Sales of animal welfare eggs rose by 48.6%, and sales of animal welfare poultry increased by 14.9%. The Korea Vegetarian Union estimated that the number of people practicing vegetarianism in Korea increased from about 150,000 in 2008 to approximately 2.5 million last year.
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