Fish roe products of Japan

Various types of fish roe products are manufactured and consumed in Japan. Common products are salted or spicy seasoned walleye pollock roe, salted salmon roe, salted herring roe, salted-dried mullet roe, and flying fish roe. Although the raw materials are mostly imported, most of the products are produced in Japan, except for salmon roe products. All the products are distributed through chilled or frozen cold-chain with an estimated total of more than 70,000 ton/year. This chapter introduces the overall information about fish roe products and provides an overview of manufacture and storage methods, factors affecting quality, nutritional value, and hygiene control to reduce food risks. Fish roe allergies showing high frequency in Japan is also explained.