Kikkoman Corp. has agreed to launch a health food joint venture in the U.S. with the Consac Industries Inc. group, a major American nutritional supplement manufacturer, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported.

The new firm, Country Life, will be set up as a limited-liability company, with Kikkoman holding a 46.3% stake and the Consac Industries group owning the remainder. In addition to carrying co-developed products, it will produce and market both parents' supplements and health foods. Kikkoman's soy sauce, soymilk and other products, which are already sold in the U.S., will be marketed through Consac's sales network as well.

Consac sells vitamins and health foods throughout the U.S. under the Country Life brand.