Tesco has a yen to stock Yushoi rice sticks

CALBEE UK, the European subsidiary of £1.2bn Japanese savoury snack supplier Calbee Inc, has struck a deal with Tesco that will see its first product Yushoi Snapea rice sticks feature in more than 650 stores nationwide.

The outpost, which employs 32 people in a 65,000sq ft unit at Deeside Enterprise Zone in Flintshire, already has agreements in place for Morrisons, The Co-Operative, Whole Foods Market, WH Smith and Selfridges.

Calbee says the snack, which is made predominantly using green peas and rice, will provide consumers with a healthier alternative to fried crisps, as retailers look to increase space in store for snacking options that are better for you.

Sales controller for Calbee UK Louise Monk said: “This listing with Tesco is a real step forward for the Calbee UK business as we start to work closely with the retailer on the healthier snacks category.

“We know that Tesco wants to help customers to make healthier choices, building on the removal of sweets, chocolates and fizzy sugary drinks from the tills and in-queue areas.

“Replacing these items with products that are better for you in supermarkets and convenience stores makes it easier for consumers to choose options that are better for them.

“We have worked hard to develop a snack that is better for you but importantly does not leave consumers compromising on taste or texture.”