New Delhi: Kameda LT Foods, the joint venture between LT Foods, the Indian-origin global FMCG leader, and Japan’s Kameda Seika, a pioneer in rice crackers and rice-based innovations, has announced the launch of a new product under its Kari Kari brand — Krispy Hopu, a roasted, gluten-free, vegan snack infused with the unique “Sweet and Salty” happy flavour.
The product launch marks another step forward in the joint venture’s mission to redefine India’s snacking habits by offering healthier, better-for-you alternatives that are not fried and free from palm oil, yet packed with great taste. Krispy Hopu draws inspiration from the Japanese snack Salada Hopu and is crafted in the spirit of Niigata, Japan’s rice heartland.
Ritesh Arora, CEO, India and Far East Business, LT Foods, said, “At LT Foods, we are committed to building future-ready and relevant food products that align with the evolving lifestyles and preferences of consumers. Our journey has been anchored in consumer-centricity, and we’ve consistently responded to emerging trends with purpose-led innovation. Presently, the overall savour snacking market (organised) in India is estimated at about Rs. 45,000 crores. Of this, we have defined our focus and target snacking market estimate to be around Rs. 800-1,000 crores, based on consumer evolving preferences for ‘No Fried, No Palm Oil’ and ‘Better For You’ snacks. The launch of Kari Kari’s Krispy Hopu is a strategic expansion of our snacking portfolio, and over the next 3–5 years, we aim to capture a strong double-digit share in our targeted high-potential segment.”
Amit Mehta, Managing Director – Kameda LT Foods Joint Venture and Vice President – Food Business, LT Foods, added, “Consumers are looking for innovation with better quality ingredients, unique flavours, textures that fit various consumption occasions. Under the Kari Kari brand, both stakeholders are committed to building a new roasted snacking category with unique, meticulously selected ingredients and textures, carefully crafted using Japanese technology. Launch of ‘Krispy Hopu’ is another step in this pursuit. While India’s savoury snack space is dominated by fried products with palm oil, we truly believe that fried palm oil snacks do not provide the right snacking experience. We, at Kameda LT Foods, listen to our consumers’ voice, asking for better tasting and yet not fried, Vegan, gluten-free, and better tasting options. With Kari Kari’s Krispy Hopu, we’re building a new category within the large snacking market, with a continuously launching range of snacking options with unique textures and experiential taste without any compromise on the quality of ingredients.”
Available in two formats — a single-serve pack priced at ₹20 and a sharing pack at ₹50 — Krispy Hopu has initially been launched on select e-commerce and q-commerce platforms, with retail distribution in major cities to follow.
Backed by an investment of USD 10 million, the Kameda LT Foods JV continues to leverage Japanese snack-making expertise and Indian consumer insights to establish Kari Kari as a formidable player in the growing roasted, gluten-free snacks category. The brand is also making inroads into select international markets, highlighting its global ambitions.
