Brand Wins Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 Most Innovative New Product Award; CEO Mika Shino Graces Cover of INC. Magazine's Female Founders Issue

New York, NY May 20, 2024 – Issei Mochi Gummies, the first all natural mochi candy brand, announced today the nationwide launch at more than 350 Albertsons Companies Inc.’s banner stores (“Albertsons Cos”), one of the top five grocery chains in the United States.  Issei Mochi Gummies flavors Strawberry, Mango, Tangerine, )MSRP  $4.99.) will be available in Albertsons Cos.’ Stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Shaw's, Star Market, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons, Pavilions and Market Street.  

In the latest 24 Weeks, Issei Mochi Gummies is the fastest growing non-chocolate candy brand in the US Natural Channel (Source: SPINS; Total US - Natural Expanded Channel; Shelf-Stable Non-Chocolate Candy; Latest 24 Weeks, PE 04.21.2024).   Founded in 2022 by first-generation Japanese American entrepreneur, Mika Shino, the award winning Issei Mochi Gummies physical retail presence has multiplied over tenfold, now spanning over 2,000 locations nationwide across multiple retailers.  

Last week at the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024, Issei Mochi Gummies also won a 2024 Most Innovative New Product Award.  Considered the ‘Oscars of the candy world,’ Issei Mochi Gummies was awarded one of the thirteen coveted awards for Small Business Innovator: Issei – Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mochi Gummies.   

Issei Mochi Gummies founder and CEO Mika Shino said, “We are so honored to launch with Albertsons this month. the incredible candy team at Albertsons has warmly supported us from the very beginning of our startup and helped us in so many ways leading to this launch. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to delighting customers together.” 

Shino is also currently on the cover of Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founders issue highlighting entrepreneurs whose innovations and ideas are shaping the world into a better place.  Ranked at #2 on the 200 female founder list of world changing companies, Shino shares the cover with  Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan, co-founders of De Soi;  Piersten Gaines, founder of Pressed Roots; and Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare.  This recognition comes after several wins for Mika’s innovative candy brand this year, as Issei has experienced exceptional growth and sales as well as numerous accolades and awards. 

Read Inc. Issei Mochi Gummy interview here: How Candymaker Mika Shino Survived Sweet but Sudden Success.  

Watch the Inc. video interview with MIka Shino here.

Watch Mika on CBS News for AAPI Month.

Issei Mochi Gummies announced earlier this month another major retail launch with Walmart, which selected Issei Mochi Gummies from thousands of applicants for the coveted "Golden Ticket" award at Walmart's Open Call.  In April Issei announced launch World Market Stores and is also available in Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Raley's, Hy-Vee, The World Bank, Central Market and more. The company also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, Middle East, and on Amazon. 

Issei Mochi Gummies are the world’s first all natural mochi candy brand.  The gummies are shelf-stable, vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to all-natural ingredients — devoid of GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.  The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies have a completely new textural and chewing experience with a soft, chewy, pillowy texture, somewhere between a gummy bear and a marshmallow.  Issei Mochi Gummies are manufactured in the United States and available flavors include sour watermelon, tangerine, strawberry, mango, Vanilla and the latest innovation flavor YUZU.   This past winter the brand also released a first of its kind limited edition dark chocolate covered strawberry mochi gummy.  The gummies can be enjoyed straight from the package, or paired with ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, puddings, or a favorite dessert.    

Recognized for its commitment to excellence, Issei Mochi Gummies won TasteTV’s Best New Chewy Snack, Best New Packaging and Best Texture Awards in 2023 and FoodBev Media’s World Food Innovation Best Confectionary Product Award in 2024.  The brand was also nominated for Nosh’s Most Innovative New Product Award 2023 as well as Best of 2022 and 2023 Awards, and became a Finalist as Best New Sweet Snack 2023 for the Nexty Awards at ExpoWest.   Founder/CEO Mika Shino was also recently recognized by the Stevie Awards for the Best Fest Female Entrepreneur in 2023 and as a finalist for Success Magazine’s 2024 Women of Influence Awards. 

Issei Mochi Gummies embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based treat with centuries of history and often consumed during sacred ceremonies, celebrations, gatherings and expressions of gratitude. The company redefines snacking, offering unparalleled purity as one of the cleanest snacks ever developed. Suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, these gummies are meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of dietary inclusivity.  

Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate better food options for a happier, healthier life, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious snacks that align with their values.    The term “Issei” means ‘first generation Japanese immigrants in the U.S.’  — symbolizing the earnest hope of immigrants who bring the best of their heritage to their newfound home.  Issei is dedicated to infusing diversity and inclusion into the food sector, building bridges across cultures through the universal language of food.  Shino, is a first-generation Japanese entrepreneur and mother who brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles in the culture, music and diplomacy space, having served as a United Nations Program Specialist, CEO, COO, producer, and advisor for tech firms, private companies and celebrities. Shino also attended Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris and published a cookbook ‘Smart Bites for Baby’ (Perseus Press, 2011). Together with a strong team of experts, Issei has established itself as the premium, natural snack brand of the future. With innovation at the forefront, Issei is bringing incremental growth to the candy category and has introduced an entirely new category of gummies to the market.  Issei has an aggressive growth strategy with multiple fist-to-market product lines in development. 

About Issei Mochi Gummies 

Established in 2022 by first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based confection with centuries of history. Issei Mochi Gummies redefines snacking, offering unparalleled purity as one of the cleanest snacks ever developed. Suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, these gummies are meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of dietary inclusivity. It is shelf-stable, vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to all-natural ingredients — devoid of GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.  The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies are readily accessible nationwide at Walmart, Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market Stores, Raley's, Bestie's Vegan Paradise, The World Bank, The Compass Group and Hy-Vee. The company also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, Middle East, and on Amazon.  Available flavors include Strawberry, Mango, Sour Watermelon, Tangerine, YUZU and Vanilla, with more to come in 2024.  Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate better food options for a happier, healthier life, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious snacks that align with their values.

About Albertsons Companies:

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 24, 2024, the Company operated 2,269 retail stores with 1,725 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 19 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 well known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2023, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed more than $350 million in food and financial support, including more than $35 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities and those impacted by disasters have enough to eat.

Media Contact:

For Issei Mochi Gummies  / Kerri Brusca   kerri@mochigummies.com

Media Assets + Information:  https://mochigummies.com/pages/media-resources#