Established in 2022 by first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based treat with centuries of history. 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, non-GMO, Kosher, gelatin-free and gluten-free. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to the best ingredients and made with natural colors and flavors. The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies debuted exclusively with Whole Foods Market in September 2022. Stocking the shelves in 192 stores across the U.S., it repeatedly sold out in many locations and quickly became the #2 best selling single-serving chewy candy. Now, the gummies are readily accessible on Amazon and at Albertsons Group, Walmart, Sprouts, Lazy Acres, Mother’s Markets, Misfits, Raley's, Hy-Vee, Pop Up Grocer, World Market, Central Market, The World Bank, The Compass Group and many more. Available flavors include Strawberry, Mango, Vanilla, Sour Watermelon, Tangerine, Yuzu, and Peach with more to come. Recognized for its commitment to excellence, Issei Mochi Gummies was nominated for Best of 2022 Nosh Award, named 2022 Disruptor and Innovator of the Year by Washington Life Magazine, became a Finalist as Best New Sweet Snack 2023, the Nexty Awards at ExpoWest, and won the Most Innovative New Product for Small Business Award at the 2024 Sweets and Snacks Expo. Mika won the Stevie Award’s Best Female Entrepreneur 2024 and named #2 Female Founder for the Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founder issue, gracing the cover with Michelle Zaitlin, Katy Perry and others. 

Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate new snack options for a happier life. Issei Mochi Gummies began as a simple homemade snack that Mika was making for her kids and friends. Weary of the ingredients in the various gummy snacks and candies her children often asked for, Mika sought to create a snack that did not have high-fructose sugar, or sugar substitutes, artificial flavors, chemical stabilizers, and animal byproducts. The more she learned about how gelatin was the foundation of most chewy snacks, and the more she learned where gelatin came from (boiled animal skin), the more she was convinced that there had to be better options for treats. So she created a simple, delicious snack — small bite-sized versions of the mochi treat she grew up with in Japan — infused with natural flavors. Her kids loved it. Their friends loved it. And Mochi Gummies were born. 

Issei, a woman-owned and minority-owned company, is driven by a mission of innovation and cultural heritage. 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. The company's goal is to create innovative, health-conscious, and delectable foods that pay homage to Japanese heritage while fostering a vibrant community united by shared values. Issei is dedicated to infusing diversity and inclusion into the food sector, building bridges across cultures through the universal language of food.