Swedish vegetable oils and fats producer AAK has joined the MISTA innovation platform to further strengthen its capabilities for plant-based foods.

based in San Francisco, California, US, MISTA was launched in 2018 by Givaudan as an innovation platform for the food industry.

By combining the expertise of the start-ups, food and ingredients companies, the platform aims to address the challenges within the food and beverage industries.

MISTA head Scott May said: “We are excited to welcome AAK as a MISTA member and a key contributor to deliver on our purpose to transform the global food system and meet the needs of the future.

“With its global presence and focus on sustainability, AAK will have a significant impact on delivering consumer-preferred solutions that require speciality oils and fats for optimal taste, texture and appearance. We look forward to creating an abundant future together, for people and for the planet.”

The start-ups that are currently part of the MISTA platform are associated with clean meat, plant-based, biotech and technology industries.

By joining MISTA, AAK aims to further accelerate its innovation abilities in the plant-based foods segment.

AAK plant-based foods president Niall Sands said: “Plant-based foods is not just a trend, rather it is rapidly becoming a mainstream lifestyle choice given its growth trajectory.

“Driven by sustainability, nutrition, wellbeing, and animal welfare concerns, it has also cast light on challenges in the current food system.

“With our speciality oils and fats knowledge and application expertise, we very much look forward to collaborate with the other MISTA members to respond to the rapidly changing needs of consumers.”

In May, the AAK Kamani JV, which is now completely owned by the Swedish company, partnered with Good Food Institute India to research and promote plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.