P.T. Kanemory Food Service, a local joint venture between Kanematsu, and retail and restaurant chains operator Cimory Group, has developed a halal version of the popular Japanese delicacy with the help of Yamaya Communications Inc., a major mentaiko producer in Japan.

The Ulema Council recently certified the product as the world's first halal mentaiko that is free of sake, a traditional ingredient. Kanemory Food uses frozen Alaska pollock from Russia and the United States and makes halal mentaiko at a factory in Serang regency in Banten province.

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The joint venture started selling the product at Japanese general merchandise stores in greater Jakarta in late September. It plans to expand sales of its spread to restaurants, convenience stores, bakeries and fast-food chains.

Kanemory Food President Hideki Kobayashi acknowledged that mentaiko is not widely known in Indonesia. But he said his firm plans to promote mentaiko spread initially because of expected demand from halal restaurants.

Yamaya executive officer Takefumi Hashimoto said he expects halal mentaiko to be used in popular local dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice).

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