CJ CheilJedang, Haetbansotban Surpassing Hetbahn with New Sterilization Technology [The World of Convenience Foods]

Oh Ye-jin CJ CheilJedang Food Research Institute Researcher
Containing Root Vegetables and Mushrooms Without Damage to Appearance or Texture

Oh Ye-jin, Researcher at CJ CheilJedang Food Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] "Hetbahn Sotban is significant in that it surpasses Hetbahn with the Hetbahn technology I have researched for 20 years."

Oh Ye-jin, a researcher at CJ CheilJedang Food Research Institute, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 26th, "Hetbahn Sotban is a differentiated product unique to CJ CheilJedang that represents the aseptic process technology accumulated since Hetbahn was launched in 1996."

Hetbahn Sotban is the third-generation instant rice product following 'Hetbahn,' which first introduced the era of buying plain cooked rice, and 'Hetbahn Cupban,' a convenient meal replacement that improved rice quality. In June last year, four types were introduced to the market: root vegetable nutritious rice, mushroom nutritious rice, whole grain rice, and honey yakbap. Researcher Oh explained, "It gained popularity among consumers who want to take care of their health by combining root vegetables, which are difficult to buy and prepare in small amounts at home," adding, "The product contains various ingredients and has more dietary fiber and protein than white rice."

Researcher Oh emphasized that Hetbahn Sotban is a product applying CJ CheilJedang's sterilization technology concentrated in the 'new aseptic rice process.' Hetbahn Sotban is based on core technologies such as 'vacuum pressure sterilization technology,' which can effectively sterilize large raw materials, and a 'liquid sterilization system' that can sterilize various rice waters. He said, "Through sterilization technology, it is possible to sterilize various raw materials such as whole grains, mushrooms, and root vegetables without damaging their appearance or texture, and even thick rice water like that of honey yakbap can be made aseptic without damage from excessive heat treatment."

On the 24th, CJ CheilJedang expanded its lineup by newly launching three types: 'Abalone Intestine Nutritious Rice,' 'Beef Burdock Nutritious Rice,' and 'Black Rice Chestnut Glutinous Rice.' While the products released last year mainly contained plant-based ingredients, the new products include animal-based raw materials such as abalone and beef, which are vulnerable to heat treatment and have significant quality changes during distribution, making ambient temperature processing challenging. Researcher Oh explained, "Each raw material has different durability against damage from heat treatment, so individual pre-processing is necessary," adding, "We reduced taste and quality damage caused by heat treatment through optimal pre-processing for each ingredient."

CJ CheilJedang plans to maintain and strengthen competitiveness by actively addressing consumer concerns as Hetbahn is the leading product in the instant rice market. Researcher Oh stated, "We are continuously communicating to alleviate consumer anxieties and misunderstandings about environmental hormones and preservatives in instant rice," and added, "We are also conducting ongoing research to apply eco-friendly packaging."