S&B Foods Inc. is set to launch UMAMI TOPPING, a key product for overseas markets, in Europe, starting with the UK.

Tokyo, Japan, 29th Sep 2026 – UMAMI TOPPING, a condiment that expands the potential of toppings S&B Foods Inc. is set to launch UMAMI TOPPING, a key product for overseas markets, in Europe, starting with the UK.

UMAMI TOPPING: Relish the Crunch

UMAMI TOPPING is a versatile umami seasoning developed as a topping-style condiment developed for overseas markets based on the Okazu La-yu (Chilli Oil) sold in Japan. Unlike conventional chilli oil, Okazu La-yu contains fried garlic and other ingredients, and has established a new category of chilli oil in Japan thanks to its chunky texture. In Japan, consumers appreciate Okazu La-yu for its wide variety of ingredients and its perfect balance of spiciness and umami flavours.

Source: Our own research, July 2022 (people who have previously purchased crunchy garlic with chilli oil), excerpt of the top nine items.

UMAMI TOPPING capitalises on these characteristics to offer a highly versatile product. Simply drizzle the flavourful oil over sushi, meat dishes, salads and more to add a touch of flavour and crunch. Unlike traditional seasonings and condiments, the product is designed to be used as a topping, making it an easy way to complement and enhance existing recipes. As a garlic chilli topping with a distinctive crunchy texture, UMAMI TOPPING can be used in a wide range of applications across both the restaurant and retail sectors, opening up possibilities for creative promotional displays and menu suggestions.

UMAMI TOPPING

UMAMI TOPPING brand website:
https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/europe/umami-topping

The Japanese Crunchy Garlic with Chilli Oil Market and the Background to the Development of UMAMI TOPPING

UMAMI TOPPING was developed from the same category of crunchy chilli oil that can be enjoyed as a food accompaniment, represented by the Okazu Chilli Oil sold by S&B Foods in Japan.

Looking at the overall chilli oil market in Japan, the market expanded rapidly following the launch of Okazu Chilli Oil in 2010. Since then, the category has become firmly established and has maintained a consistent market size.UMAMI TOPPING, which was launched as an export-only version of the Okazu Chilli Oil sold in Japan, has seen a significant increase in sales in recent years. It is now positioned as a major product alongside curry and wasabi, with sales reaching levels comparable to those of Okazu Chilli Oil in Japan.

*Jan 2017 to Dec 2025: Estimated retail sales in the chilli oil market, provided by Intage SRI+

*Jan 2008 to Dec 2016: Our own research

Growth and Popularity in Overseas Markets (United States, Asia)

UMAMI TOPPING is steadily gaining ground in overseas markets.

– Widely used in the United States as a topping for sushi rolls

It is also used in a wide range of applications, from seafood dishes such as carpaccio and sashimi to ramen toppings and gyoza dumplings.

Its balance of texture and spiciness is highly regarded.

– Established as a topping for both restaurant meals and home cooking in South Korea

It is used on a variety of dishes, including rice porridge, noodle dishes and vegetable dishes.

Consumers enjoy its crunchy texture, spicy flavour and versatility, and sales continue to grow.

These diverse ways of using UMAMI TOPPING have led to increased sales. In 2025, S&B Foods added UMAMI TOPPING SPICY to the lineup in the United States and South Korea, combining intense spiciness with umami flavour.

The company also reviewed the ingredients of the original UMAMI TOPPING and removed almonds, an allergen, so that more customers can enjoy the product with peace of mind.

Sushi with UMAMI TOPPING

Key Points of Development for Europe (Behind the Scenes of the Product Launch)

S&B Foods made the following optimisations for the European market:

– Regulatory compliance and quality assurance

Adoption of new ingredients that comply with strict European food regulations.
Use of non-GMO ingredients to comply with local standards.

– Product variations

Two varieties, MILD and SPICY, have been created to meet the needs of consumers with different spice preferences.

MILD

– A subtly spicy flavour that enhances dishes with its distinctive texture, crunch and exquisite umami.
– Mainly intended to be used as a topping, making the most of its intense umami and crunchy texture.
– Recommended as a topping for sushi and hot dogs.

SPICY

– An intense spiciness that will also appeal to fans of Asian cuisine.
– Can also be used as a seasoning or to add a piquant accent to dishes.
– Recommended for adding a touch of spice to ramen or gyoza dumplings.

What sets UMAMI TOPPING apart is not only its unique topping format, but also its authentic Japanese origin and rich umami flavour.

Benefits of Introducing UMAMI TOPPING to the Retail Market

In the UK, topping-style seasonings such as Crispy Chilli Oil and Chilli Crunch are becoming increasingly popular. By offering not only spiciness but also a distinctive umami flavour, UMAMI TOPPING can differentiate itself from existing products in the category and drive stronger shelf sales.

UMAMI TOPPING offers the following benefits:

– “UMAMI” products that are directly aligned with Japanese food trends
– Highly versatile for use as a topping on a variety of dishes
– Easy to display through in-store merchandising as an instant flavour-boosting product
– Scalable shelf allocation thanks to the introduction of different varieties (MILD/SPICY)

Fish and Chips with UMAMI TOPPING Recipe https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/europe/umami-topping/recipe01/

Katsu Curry with UMAMI TOPPING Recipe
https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/europe/umami-topping/recipe02/

Hot Dog with UMAMI TOPPING Recipe https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/europe/umami-topping/recipe03/

Hot Dog with UMAMI TOPPING

European Expansion

August 2026

Sales are scheduled to start at Japanese and Asian supermarkets in Europe, beginning with the UK.

These include Japan Centre and Oseyo.

October 2026

S&B Foods will operate a stall at JAPAN MATSURI in London, where visitors will be able to sample UMAMI TOPPING.

Japan Matsuri London – JAPAN MATSURI 2026 will return to Trafalgar Square, the date of event will be announced shortly. https://japanmatsuri.com/

Through UMAMI TOPPING, S&B Foods will expand the value of Japanese food culture globally and create a new food scene.

Company Overview

S&B – Authentic Taste of Japan

S&B Foods Inc. is a Japanese food manufacturer with a core focus on spices, herbs and seasonings.

Since its establishment in 1923, S&B Foods has established a strong position in the Japanese curry and spice categories and is expanding its business in North America, Asia and Europe, backed by a diverse product portfolio and a stable supply system.

The company develops products that align with the food culture and comply with the regulations of each market, and is working to expand its seasoning business globally.

Official Instagram (UK):
https://www.instagram.com/sbfoods_uk

S&B Foods Global Site:
S&B Foods UK website – Authentic Taste of Japan

Media Contact

Organization: S&B Foods Inc.

Contact Person: Takuma Hosoda

Website: https://www.sbfoods-worldwide.com/europe/umami-topping/

Email: Send Email

Address: 18-6, Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho, Chuo-ku

City: Tokyo

Country: Japan

Release id: 49520

The post Crunchy Garlic with Chilli Oil from Japan Arrives in Europe appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

New digital guide shows franchise buyers how to correctly use AI for due diligence, with 52 prompts along with warnings about where AI franchise research can go wrong.

United States, 29th Sep 2026  — Joel Libava, known as The Franchise King®, today announced the release of “The Franchise Buyer’s AI Playbook,” a digital guide that gives prospective franchise buyers 52 ready-to-use AI prompts for researching and vetting a franchise opportunity, paired with direct warnings about where AI tools can mislead them.

Franchise buyers are already using ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to research potential opportunities, often without realizing where those tools fall short. AI can organize research and translate legal language quickly. It cannot verify a franchisor’s financial health, sit in on a validation call, or interpret a franchise agreement with legal authority. Libava’s guide is built around that distinction.

“People are already asking AI whether they should buy a franchise, and getting confident-sounding answers back,” said Libava. “The problem isn’t that AI is useless here. It’s that nobody’s told buyers exactly where it can quietly get them hurt. That’s the entire reason this guide exists.”

The guide organizes its 52 prompts around the real buyer journey: 13 prompts for finding a franchise that actually fits a buyer’s money, skills, and schedule; 26 prompts for researching a specific opportunity, including how to interrogate a franchise’s financial performance disclosures instead of accepting a misleading average; and 13 prompts for making a final decision without being pushed by sales pressure or sunk-cost thinking.

“Anyone can hand you a list of prompts,” said Joel Libava, The Franchise King. “What I built is the research process I’ve used with buyers for 25 years. The prompts get you the answers — the workbook and 7-Day Quick-Start Plan tell you what to do with them. That’s the difference between a novelty and a real tool for franchise buyers.” Every detailed prompt includes a plain-language warning describing exactly how an AI tool’s answer can be incomplete or wrong, a feature not found in franchise content produced by parties with a financial incentive to keep a buyer moving toward a purchase.

Libava has spent more than 25 years advising franchise buyers. He is the author of two books on franchising, spent eight years as the exclusive franchise contributor to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s blog, and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Entrepreneur.

“The Franchise Buyer’s AI Playbook” is available now for at thefranchiseking.com. It includes a full glossary of franchise terminology, a chapter addressing common franchising myths, including the assumption that AI alone can determine whether a franchise is a good investment and bonuses including helpful worksheets that will help franchise buyers organize the information they’ve collected.

For more information, or to request a review copy or interview with Joel Libava, contact: Joel Libava

Phone: 216-831-2610

Email: Joel@thefranchiseking.com  

Website: https://www.thefranchiseking.com   

https://www.thefranchiseking.com/the-franchise-buyers-ai-playbook 

Media Contact

Organization: Franchise Selection Specialists Inc.

Contact Person: Joel Libava

Website: https://www.thefranchiseking.com

Email: Send Email

Country: United States

Release id: 49516

The post The Franchise King Releases New Guide to Using AI for Franchise Research and Franchise Buying appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

Social Retrieving offers social media account recovery services, including Instagram and Facebook.

Miami, Florida, United States, 29th Sep 2026 – Social media accounts have become an important part of how individuals, creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses communicate with their audiences. When an account is hacked, disabled, locked, or otherwise inaccessible, recovering access can become a complicated and time-consuming process. Social Retrieving has emerged as a specialized service focused on helping users navigate social media account recovery.

Founded to assist users dealing with difficult account-access issues, Social Retrieving provides account recovery assistance for platforms including Instagram and Facebook. The company works with clients experiencing issues such as hacked accounts, compromised credentials, disabled accounts, lost access, changed account information, and unsuccessful platform recovery attempts.

“Social media account recovery can be frustrating, particularly when standard recovery options do not resolve the issue,” said James, Account Manager at Social Retrieving. “Our role is to help clients navigate the recovery process, organize the relevant information, and pursue the available recovery channels for their particular situation.”

A Specialized Approach to Social Media Account Recovery

Social Retrieving takes a case-by-case approach to account recovery. Rather than treating every account issue the same way, the company first evaluates the circumstances surrounding an account before determining whether it is suitable for its recovery assistance service.

Depending on the circumstances, clients may receive assistance with documenting their account situation, preparing relevant information, navigating available recovery procedures, and pursuing appropriate escalation routes.

The company emphasizes that clients do not need to provide their social media passwords or two-factor authentication codes to Social Retrieving. Account owners should only provide information they are comfortable sharing and should maintain control of their personal credentials.

Helping Users Navigate Difficult Instagram and Facebook Recovery Cases

Instagram and Facebook account recovery can involve different circumstances and recovery procedures. Users may encounter automated verification, identity confirmation, disabled-account notices, compromised account information, or recovery links that no longer work.

Social Retrieving focuses on helping clients navigate these situations while maintaining realistic expectations about the recovery process.

Because social media platforms ultimately determine whether an account can be restored, no legitimate third-party recovery service can guarantee that a platform will return an account. Social Retrieving instead provides recovery assistance based on the individual circumstances of each case.

Building Trust Through Transparency

Social Retrieving states that transparency is an important part of its client process. The company provides clients with information regarding its service, pricing, expected timelines, and applicable terms before work begins.

The company also maintains case documentation throughout its recovery process and can provide clients with information regarding work performed on their case.

With the continued growth of social media as a business and communication tool, account-access problems can have significant consequences. Social Retrieving aims to provide users with an organized alternative to repeatedly navigating complicated recovery procedures on their own.

About Social Retrieving

Social Retrieving is a social media account recovery assistance company based in Miami, Florida. The company specializes in assisting individuals, creators, businesses, and organizations with difficult Instagram and Facebook account recovery situations.

Social Retrieving provides assistance for account-related issues including hacked accounts, disabled accounts, lost access, compromised account information, and other social media recovery challenges.

For more information about Social Retrieving and its account recovery services, visit Social Retrieving online.

Media Contact

Organization: Social Retrieving

Contact Person: Sarah M.

Website: https://www.socialretrieving.com

Email: Send Email

City: Miami

State: Florida

Country: United States

Release id: 49517

The post Social Retrieving Emerges as a Reliable Service for Recovering Social Media Accounts appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section