Japanese Company Makes a Spoon That Makes Food Taste Salty Without Sodium



Japanese company Kirin Holdings has begun selling an electrified spoon that researchers claim can promote healthier eating by enhancing salty tastes without extra sodium. Electric Salt Spoons went on sale in May for ¥19,800 ($127) and will be available in the U.S. in 2026. The spoon, made of plastic and metal, works by passing a weak electric field from the spoon to concentrate sodium ion molecules on the tongue to enhance the perceived saltiness of the food. The product has particular significance in Japan, where the average adult consumes about 10 grams of salt per day, double the amount recommended. Weighing 60 grams, the spoon runs on a rechargeable lithium battery.