Bulgarian 'LB Bulgaricum' and Japanese 'Meiji' will establish joint research laboratory in Bulgaria

The state-owned company "LB Bulgaricum" signed a contract with its long-standing partner - the Japanese company "Meiji" for the establishment of a joint research laboratory in Bulgaria. The ceremony on October 17 was attended by the caretaker Minister of Economy, Petko Nikolov, and the Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Michigami Hisashi.

The main objective of the laboratory will be to further research the beneficial ingredients of Bulgarian sourdough starter and to seek new scientific evidence of the healthy properties of Bulgarian yoghurt. More than 1,000 strains of yoghurt and more than 100 starters for the original Bulgarian milk are stored in the production facilities of the Bulgarian company and in its laboratories.

The contract is for ten years and was signed by Zhivko Zhivkov, Executive Director of LB Bulgaricum, and Meiji Executive Officer Shigeru Taniguchi.

Images by Ministry of the Economy and Industry

One of the main focuses of the research will be the bacterial species Lactobacilus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilius, which are of Bulgarian origin, isolated on the territory of the country and are its exclusive property. The new research centre will provide state-of-the-art high-tech facilities and state-of-the-art methods for discovering new health benefits from the use of Bulgarian yoghurt as a product that is a national treasure.

According to the caretaker Minister of Economy, Petko Nikolov, the joint scientific centre of "LB Bulgaricum" and "Meiji" will become the basis for creating extremely valuable innovations for human health. He stresses that the signed contract will build on the fruitful cooperation between the companies that has been achieved so far and will continue in the future.

Shigeru Taniguchi, Executive Director for Research and Development and Board Member of Meiji Corporation of Japan, pointed out that the best Japanese researchers will be sent to the country.

"LB Bulgaricum" and "Meiji" have established over 50 years of tradition and partnership. Thanks to them, yoghurt with Bulgarian starter, made under the licence of our national dairy company, has been produced in Japan for decades.