this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025
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The device known as shoyu-tai (or soy-sauce snapper in Japanese) was invented in 1954 by Teruo Watanabe, the founder of Osaka-based company Asahi Sogyo, according to a report from Japan’s Radio Kansai.

It was then common for glass and ceramic containers to be used but the advent of cheap industrial plastics allowed the creation of a small polyethylene container in the shape of a fish, officially named the “Lunch Charm”.

The invention quickly spread around Japan and eventually worldwide, and it is estimated that billions have been produced.

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[–] Lexam@lemmy.world 70 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Those are cute and I can see how they would be popular. And I see why they should also be banned. I live in the Midwest and I'm not sure I have seen these. Ours just comes in a little sauce packet.

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 28 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Essentially a less cute plastic wrapper, no?

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 15 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah but as another person from the American Midwest, the article seems to indicate south Australia is moving to the packets we have as they're larger and use less plastic, though the goal is for bulk soy sauce in refillable containers

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[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 58 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The "fish-shaped" is rather irrelevant. The point is that it is a single -use plastic thing. With very little content in relation to the plastic used.

[–] Lumisal@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago (7 children)

I thought it would have been very relevant.

It looks like a fish lure.

If this is floating around at sea I don't see why other fish (and maybe certain sea birds?) wouldn't think it's prey, and it even has a bright red indicator that makes it easy to spot.

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[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 30 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (10 children)

A Spanish company (I imagine there are a few worldwide) develops compostable bioplastic containers using PLA, polylactic acid, the most used plastic in 3D printing, in food safe formulations. I suppose there are limitations on what it can contain, and I don't know if soy sauce is compatible. I know that it's used for single serving olive oil, for example. There are challenges, like storage life, but it's a good start.

I do a lot of 3D printing. Printing PLA things for food storage is not recommended, not because of PLA, but because filaments often have modifiers to enhance certain properties that may not be food safe, and because contact with materials and parts, like extrusion nozzles may add impurities that are probably not food safe..

[–] bitwolf@sh.itjust.works 32 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Keep in mind that PLA also leaks microplastics into food and could also be considered a risk to health just like other plastics.

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Aren't these biodegradable, though? I imagine the body would eventually process them, unlike hydrocarbon based plastics.

[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 35 points 1 week ago (3 children)

“Biodegradable” doesn’t mean “biodegradable in the conditions in the human body.” Lots of ‘green’ plastics are only compostable at a fairly high temperature (120F/50C) and with specific bacteria present.

PLA is not one of those. It's used in biodegradable implants. Even fairly large bone screws will dissolve within a couple years.

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[–] MrQuallzin@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago (5 children)

The hard part about PLA is that while it is biodegradable, it's only in certain conditions/facilities who are set up for it, and it's not very common around the country. I'm all for what the company is doing, and I already do see a lot of PLA products in fast food (like soda cups), but it doesn't mean much if we don't have the facilities to properly dispose of it.

Source: I do a modest amount of 3D printing

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[–] ParadoxSeahorse@lemmy.world 27 points 1 week ago (10 children)

Some people just don’t appreciate the irony of killing turtles with fish-shaped plastic, what can you do

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[–] renrenPDX@lemmy.world 26 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’m not defending the use but should mention that these are convenient over traditional sauce packets. They allow precise application in a droplet form, don’t spill everywhere, and can be closed with the included cap.

[–] Chais@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

But offer no benefit over a simple serving bottle.

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[–] emmanuel_car@fedia.io 17 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Oh no! How are people supposed to sneak G into parties now?

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[–] Meron35@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago

Date rapists in shambles

For context, these containers are really popular for storing drugs like GHB

[–] yourgodlucifer@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Wonder if you could put soy sauce in wax like those wax bottle candies instead

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