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The Vitasoy logoVitasoy (Chinese: 維他奶 ; Cantonese IPA: /wɐɪ11 tʰɑ55 nɑɪ33/, Jyutping: wai4 taa1 naai3; Mandarin Pinyin: Wéi Tā Nǎi) is a well-known brand of beverages in Hong Kong. "Vitasoy" belongs to the Vitasoy International Holdings Limited, based in Hong Kong. Originally, "Vitasoy" referred to the nutritious, high-protein soymilk drink that the company first produced. As time went by, the company started to produce a wide variety of beverages, and some of them (such as fruit juices) were given another brand name "VITA", derived from "Vitasoy". The company is traded on the Hong Kong Exchange as Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. HKSE: 345.
Bottled Vitasoy soyabean milk
Boxed soyabean milk: regular(left) and malt(right)Have to see |
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History
The Vitasoy story began in 1940 with a grand idea and a little bean (soy).
The bean, known as "the cow of China" on occasion, and is the chief source of protein for the Chinese for more than 3000 years. The great idea was the brainchild of founder Dr. K. S. Lo, was to take the so-called 'cow of China' and to market it in the soymilk form in which we are familiar with today. And so Vitasoy was born: a nourishing, high-protein soymilk drink that was sold at an affordable price to the people of Hong Kong at that time. In the beginning, Vitasoy was delivered fresh door-to-door on bicycles, and it had to be sold straight away or it would deteriorate. The business grew a fraction of what it is today, however, when the war erupted in the British colony, a marked drop in production in 1941 resulted in sales of only about 1,000 bottles a day.
Re-launching Vitasoy after the war, Dr. Lo began selling his soya bean milk through retail outlets, bringing it within the reach of a mass market. By 1950, sales had fledged to such a degree that a new-fangled factory had to be put up in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. In 1953 Vitasoy was further improved by sterilization, so it no longer needed refrigeration. By 1962, another new plant was put into business in Kwun Tong. At this time, Vitasoy had become a household name and one of the leading suppliers of soymilk products in Hong Kong. In 1975, with the initiation of the new Tetra Brik packaging franchised by Tetra Pak, plus UHT (Ultra Heat Treated) processing, Vitasoy products were ensured to be kept for months with all of their taste and quality unspoiled.
VITA chrysanthemum tea(left) and lemon tea(right)At about the same time, an epoch of diversification commenced. VITA, a new brand, was created as offspring of Vitasoy, and a range of fruit juice drinks was instigated. Other products such as lemon tea and chrysanthemum tea in next to no time followed. By the late 1970's and early 80's, there was no looking back as the Group pushed into markets abroad. Today, Vitasoy products are readily accessible in over 30 overseas markets. Now a listed company on the Hong Kong Exchange with plants situated at mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S.A., Vitasoy International is a international organization setting new standards of quality and innovation anywhere its merchandise are sold.
Major events of Vitasoy
Production of Vitasoy in the old days
- 1940: The Group started out on soymilk drink - Vitasoy in Hong Kong
- 1950: A plant was opened in Aberdeen, Hong Kong
- 1962: A plant was opened in Kwun Tong
- 1975: The Group introduces Hong Kong's first Tetra Brik Aseptic packaging
- 1976: New VITA line of juice drinks gets underway in Hong Kong
- 1979: Introduction of VITA Lemon Tea. It was the world's first ready-to-drink lemon tea. Vitasoy enters arrangement in PRC to produce dairy milk
- 1984: Larger 375mL Tetra Brik packaging was introduced in Hong Kong
- 1986: Unveiling of Vitasoy natural soymilk into US and Australia natural food markets
- 1987: New HK$100 million head office and plant opens in Tuen Mun
- 1992: VITA Pure Distilled Water was launched and becomes the second most popular brand in the local market before long
- 1993: Acquirement of a tofu plant on the West Coast of the US
- 1994: The Group was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Group's Shenzhen plant in mainland China presumes full manoeuvre
- 1996: Acquisition of another industrial building in Tuen Mun for distribution purposes
- 1998: The Group's Shanghai plant in mainland China assumes full operation. Vitasoy USA Inc. officially opens its new Nasoya Foods facility in Ayer, Massachusetts in the USA. The Group transfers its tuck shop operations to a new division - Vitaland Services Company Ltd. which is exclusively engaged in the tuck shop business
- 2001: Vitasoy was awarded the "Hong Kong Top Ten Brandnames Awards 2000" by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. Vitaland Services Company Ltd is the first company in Hong Kong to be honoured the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) acccration. Vitaland Services Limited sets up a central production kitchen under the name of Hong Kong gourmet Limited to provide high-quality, wholesome lunch boxes and services to the Hong Kong school community. The Group opens its first manufacturing plant in Australia.
Company’s vision
Vitasoy aims to sustain its leadership in promoting superior quality of life through the production of high quality, vast tasting nutritious products that suit customers in all markets.
Company’s mission
At Vitasoy, promoting consumer health is the number one priority. This is achieved through the provision of a range of high-quality nutritious foods and beverages.
Products and Services
Local products
Since its establishment in 1940, Vitasoy International Holdings Limited has grown to become one of the world's leaders in providing vigorous nutritious foods and beverages that perk up the quality of life for its customers.
The products marketed by Vitasoy are obtainable under two major brands:
- Vitasoy: a nutritious soy drink and tofu;
- VITA: a range of dairy milk products, juice, teas, carbonated drinks, distilled water.
Both brands are sold extensively in Hong Kong, North America, Mainland China, Macao, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and other markets all the way through the world.
Soybean products
Tea products
Water
Dairy products
Juice
Overseas products
A Vitasoy In North America, Vitasoy USA Inc. offered a wide range of soy products under the brands of Vitasoy as well, SAN SUI, NASOYA and AZUMAYA, together with tofu, natural soy-based salad dressings, mayonnaise, desserts, pasta and noodles.
Services
Vitasoy has its own vending machines, and the newest models are even compatible with Octopus cards; so customers do not have to use coins to purchase their drinks.
Production lines and Markets
Production lines
In order to produce products of the highest quality, Vitasoy upholded high-tech production facilities in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, and in Shenzhen and Shanghai in the Mainland China. The Group also had operations in the United States for the North America tofu and soy-based products market and one lodge in Victoria, Australia to produce soy beverages for the local mainstream market.
Hong Kong
The Tuen Mun plant, built with an investment of HK$100 million in 1987, was a 34,000 square metre facility that housed the production lines, general office, product improvement, manufacturing and other supporting functions. The plant was capable of producing and packaging huge volumes of Vitasoy products. Through the sales and distribution team in the Vitasoy Distribution Center, also located in Tuen Mun, the Group delivered millions of products day by day to customers in Hong Kong and overseas markets.
Mainland China
In the Mainland China, Australia and the US, the Group maintained up to date facilities and like the Hong Kong plant operated them under authoritarian quality assurance and control systems and procedure. Both plants in Hong Kong and Shenzhen had been awarded ISO 9001 accration, a testament to Vitasoy's quality commitment.
The United States
The logo of Vitasoy USA Inc.In the United States, the Group had a wholly owned subsidiary - Vitasoy USA Inc. in Ayer, Massachusetts. This 11,200 square-meter production facility, the largest of its kind in the US produced soymilk drinks, tofu and tofu-based products for the North America market.
Australia and New Zealand
With an area of 60,000 square metres, the plant in Australia began mercantile production in July 2001. It carried production lines for Refrigerated Soymilk and Ultra-high temperature processed (UHT) SoyDrink to meet the demand for healthy soy products from consumers in Australia and New Zealand.
Targeted markets
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Croatia
- Dominican Republic
- France
- Germany
- Guatemala
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Kuwait
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Mainland China
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Pacific Islands
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Saipan
- Singapore
- Surinam
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- U.S.A.
- Venezuela
Benefits of soymilk drink
Soymilk drink had long been recognized for its nutritional value, and now research was showing how soy products can in effect lower cholesterol levels, fight cancer and build healthy bones. Generally, soymilk contains:
- Isoflavones: Only found in soya beans that helps reduce loss of bone mass and helps maintain strong and healthy bones.
- Lecithin: Helps reduce the accumulation of fat.
- Amino acids: The basic protein component for constructing muscles and tissues.
- Omega-3: Helps control cholesterol level and reduce the risk of heart disease.
The American Food and Drug Administration have agreed to a health claim about soya protein, stating that everyday intake of 25gram soya protein, together with low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Soya is absolutely free of cholesterol. Research found that soya beans can effectively lower the bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein - cholesterol) level while, not affecting the good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein - cholesterol) level.
(However, Muslims consider soya beans are harmful. Click here for further details.)
Vitasoy's Green policies
Recycling drinking bottles
Vitasoy has joined forces with 7-Eleven and Circle K, two major convenience stores in Hong Kong, to launch a Vitasoy bottle recycling scheme. In this scheme, fifty cents will be given for each Vitasoy glass bottle returned to the two stores. Friends of the Earth(HK) has appreciated the scheme in its publication; furthermore, the organization hope that Coca Cola and other soft drink manufacturers will be inspired to practise recycling too. The scheme yet was desisted in 2000, receiving overwhelming critcs due to a lack of glass recyclers in Hong Kong. Green Power suggested the HKSAR government propose a law to make recycling compulsory to the manufacturers.
No GM products
Like some other famous diary brands like Nutricia Cow & Gate and Mead Johnson, Vitasoy has been marked as "green products", i.e. products containing no GM food, according to a report written by Greenpeace(HK).
Advertisements
Catchphrases and Jingles
- 1950: An ear-catching jingle was created by Gei Man-fung (紀文鳳):
| 1950 Vitasoy Jingle Lyrics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Original version | Translated English | |
| 維他奶令你更高 | Vitasoy makes you taller | |
| 維他奶令你更強 | Vitasoy makes you stronger | |
| 維他奶令你更健美 | Vitasoy makes you healthier | |
- 1970: A famous catchphrase "it's more than soft drinks" (點只汽水咁簡單) was implemented to the new tetra brik vitasoy drinks.
- 2003: A new catchphrase "Vitasoy. It matters most to cheer you up" (維他奶至緊要得你開心) was used.
TV ad shots
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Scandals
There were two scandals of Vitasoy, which happened in Hong Kong and, later in Shanghai respectively.
Hong Kong
In late October 1995, Vitasoy recalled the first batch of its single-serve soya bean drink in Hong Kong. Some customers complained that the drink tasted like kerosene. At the beginning, the company blamed the blender on a faulty steam filter in its Tuen Mun factory. Hong Kong Department of Health investigated and said it found "no evidence of a health risk." The incident was in a little while forgotten and had no impact abroad, together with mainland China and the U.S., two huge markets where Vitasoy was swiftly increasing its presence.
Just before the 1995 incident has barely abated, however, the company again received complaints about its products. This time, Vitasoy said a bad batch might have come from its Shenzhen plant, just across the border from Hong Kong. The facility had opened in February 1994 but started producing to full capacity only recently. When more complaints about sour-tasting soymilk came early in 1996, Vitasoy shut down the entire 203,000-square-foot Shenzhen factory, which accounts for 30% of total production, for a month for an investigation. It also recalled 8 million paper packs of soymilk in Hong Kong.
After that two more complaints were received. This time, the drinks in question were processed in Tuen Mun. After three more bad products turned up, Vitasoy also closed the Hong Kong facility. Although the sour taste was detected only in soymilk, it recalled all Tetra Brik Vitasoy and VITA brand drinks from shelves in Hong Kong and Macau. Vitasoy said none of the tainted batches were exported elsewhere and bottled drinks, which account for a third of sales, were not affected. By January 16 in 1996, 13.1 million units had been pulled off the market. Vitasoy estimated it would end up with 43 million packs in all, including stocks it had not delivered to retailers. The company was working with the Environmental Protection Department on a plan of disposal of more than 10 million litres of liquid. Health officials stressed that while bacteria levels in the affected drinks were 1,000 times more than normal, there did not seem to be a health risk, only a foul taste.
Shanghai
On 30 May 2005, according to press reports in mainland China, Vitasoy was ordered by Shanghai's authority to recall as many as 400,000 packs of coconutavoured Vitasoy soybean milk due to the use of expired raw materials. The company indicated that the relevant products were not sold in Hong Kong and the raw materials used were only after the "best before date" instead of expired.
Miscellaneous
Slang
In Hong Kong, some automobile maniacs would use the word "Vitasoy" to refer "Suzuki Vitara", as both terms own similar pronunciations in Cantonese.
How to drink Vitasoy soybean milk
How to dispose Vitasoy soybean milk
External Link
Official websites
- The official website of the Vitasoy International Holdings Limited
- The official website of the Vitasoy International (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited
News relating to scandals
- When Milk Turns Sour: Lessons in Crisis Management From a Hong Kong Beverage Maker by Alejandro Reyes and Law Siu Lan, Asiaweek, 1996.
- 400 Thousand Boxes Of Vitasoy Recalled Due To Expired Raw Materials by Cui Zhiliang, Dongfeng Daily, 2005.