Sardines
Toyo
Toyo is a budget-tier canned sardine brand made by Tosen Foods, Inc., a Philippine cannery with its manufacturing plant in Meycauayan, Bulacan and satellite warehouses in General Santos City and Zamboanga City.
At a glance
| Country | Philippines |
|---|---|
| Region | Bulacan (Luzon) |
| City | Meycauayan |
| Founded | 2001 Tosen Foods, Inc. was incorporated and SEC-registered on October 17, 2001 (SEC Reg. No. A200115838), which is the only documented company founding date. However, a June 2010 Philippine Star feature describes the Toyo sardines brand itself as already having been 'enjoyed by Filipinos for over 20 years,' implying the Toyo brand name predates Tosen Foods' 2001 registration, possibly under earlier ownership. The two dates are not reconciled in available sources. |
| Company | Cannery / food manufacturer |
| Owner | Tosen Foods, Inc. |
| Price | $ |
Notable facts
- Tosen Foods, Inc. was incorporated and registered with the Philippine SEC on October 17, 2001 (SEC Reg. No. A200115838).
- Tosen Foods' principal office and main warehouse is at 117-119 Quirino Highway, Baesa, Quezon City, with its canning factory in Malhacan, Meycauayan, Bulacan, and satellite offices/warehouses in Cebu City, Iloilo City, General Santos City, and Zamboanga City.
- Tosen Foods states its canned fish products 'are produced from fresh not frozen' fish.
- A 2010 Philippine Star article described Toyo sardines as having been on the Philippine market for 'over 20 years' by that point, suggesting the brand predates Tosen Foods' current corporate registration.
- Toyo sardines are sold in 130g, 155g, and 425g can sizes across at least three sauce variants: Green (Regular), Red, and Red Chili.
- Tosen Foods also produces a Toyo Mackerel in Oil product, outside the sardine line.
Origin
Toyo is a budget canned-sardine brand on Philippine grocery shelves, currently made by Tosen Foods, Inc., a Manila-area cannery whose registered manufacturing plant sits in Meycauayan, Bulacan, with its head office in Quezon City and satellite warehouses reaching south to General Santos City and Zamboanga City — the two Mindanao sardine hubs most associated with the fishery.
The corporate paperwork only tells part of the story: Tosen Foods was SEC-registered in 2001, but a 2010 newspaper feature already described Toyo as a sardine brand Filipinos had been eating for "over 20 years," which would put its market origin closer to 1990. Whether that reflects an earlier owner of the Toyo name, a predecessor company, or simply informal brand continuity isn't resolved in available sources — it's a gap worth flagging rather than papering over.
On shelves, Toyo competes at the same price point as other mass-market Philippine sardine brands, sold in small 130g and 155g easy-open cans as well as family-size 425g tins, across plain tomato ("Green"), tomato ("Red"), and chili-spiced tomato ("Red Chili") variants.
Products
Toyo Sardines Green (Regular)
Tosen Foods' plain tomato-sauce sardine, labeled 'Green' on the can and sold as the regular/mild variant.
Where to buyToyo Sardines Red
Tomato-sauce sardine sold under the 'Red' label, distinct from the Green variant; confirmed via multiple Philippine retailers.
Where to buyToyo Sardines Red Chili
Spicy tomato-sauce sardine with added chili, sold in 130g/155g easy-open and 425g cans.
Where to buySources
- Tosen Foods (official site)
- Tosen Foods – Sardines product page
- PhilJobNet – Tosen Foods company listing (locations)
- Philippine Star – "Happy birthday 'Toyo'" (2010)
- Nesabel – Toyo Sardines Chili 155g (retail listing)
- Choithrams UAE – Toyo Sardines in Tomato Sauce (Red) 155g
- Magic Star Supermarket – Toyo Sardines Red Tomato Sauce 130g
- Walter Mart – Toyo Sardines Green Regular 130g