Taste the SDGs! ＭIYOSHI OIL & FAT CO.,LTD.’s Plant-Based Edible Oil “botanova” Tasting Event Held at SUNNY SIDE UP
Hello, I am Keiko Hasegawa from thePublic Relations Dept. Division 3(Sports).
This time, I would like to introduce “botanova,” a new plant-based oil and fat brand of ＭIYOSHI OIL & FAT CO.,LTD., which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding, for which I am in charge of PR.
First of all, have you ever heard of “plant-based foods”?
According to a survey conducted by MIYOSHI OIL & FAT in November 2021, more than 70% of respondents are aware of plant-based foods.
While awareness is gradually increasing, on the other hand, a majority of respondents (56%) have “never eaten” plant-based foods.
So why is plant-based food now attracting so much attention?
There are three major reasons.
- For the development of an environmentally sustainable society
The amount of carbon dioxide and water emitted when growing plants is much less than that emitted by the livestock industry, and is considered less harmful to the environment.
With the growing momentum toward the SDGs, the contribution to the development of a sustainable society is one of the reasons why plant-based products are attracting attention.
“botanova” is also being developed as a brand that contributes to solving environmental and social issues in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All three products are vegan certified and use RSPO-certified oil.
- Concern about food shortages
It is difficult to notice when living in Japan, but the global demand for food is growing every year. There are various reasons for this, such as “increase in world population,” “increase in demand for livestock products due to rising incomes,” “rapid economic development in China and other countries,” and “increase in demand for agricultural products such as those used for biofuels.”
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Website
The world population is expected to exceed 9.7 billion* by 2050, and demand for meat and other products is increasing as incomes rise due to the development of China and India.
Livestock production requires a large amount of grain, but there are many causes for concern, including global warming, resource depletion, and soil degradation, and supply is not keeping up with demand due to a variety of factors.
Source: United Nations Information Center
- Increasing health consciousness
Health consciousness is on the rise as we enter the era of 100-year lifespan.
Plant-based foods are attracting widespread attention, not only among health-conscious people, as many of these foods are sold with advantages over animal-based foods, such as low fat, low calories, and low cholesterol levels.
Compared to animal fats, “botanova” has far less cholesterol and is healthier. It also has less trans fatty acids.
Source: MIYOSHI OIL & FAT
Plant-based products are also attracting attention from the perspective of animal welfare. Against this background, the plant-based market is expected to continue to grow.
We compared three kinds of botanova products: white sauce made with “botanical deliciousness butter flavor,” dumplings made with “botanical deliciousness lard flavor,” and curry made with “botanical deliciousness beef tallow flavor” with those made with tasteless and odorless rape oil. The three were compared with one made with tasteless and odorless rapeseed oil.
What is a tasting and drinking event…
Tasting events are events where restaurants and food/beverage brands invite media representatives and influencers to taste and sample their products to commemorate the launch of new products.
The tasting event was divided into three sessions, led by sales representatives in charge of PR for restaurants and hotels. Approximately 20 people participated.
At the beginning of the event, a marketing representative from MIYOSHI OIL & FAT explained about botanova.
After deepening their understanding of the product, it was time for the tasting.
Taking the time to feel and taste the aroma and flavor.
Many of us who attended the tasting were under the impression that plant-based foods are not that tasty. However, they could not hide their surprise at the perfection of “botanova.” About 70% of the participants felt a huge satisfaction with its flavor.
In particular, the common impression among the three types of food was that they all had a “richness” to them. Many of the respondents said that the plant-based foods had a light flavored impression, but the richness of the plant-based foods added depth to the taste and made them taste even more delicious.
We also received a flurry of questions to further convey the appeal of botanova to the clients we work with. The staff in charge of each project will continue to work as a bridge between MIYOSHI OIL & FAT our clients.
At SUNNY SIDE UP, we not only promote our products, but also work on projects that connect and collaborate with our customers.
■[About MIYOSHI OIL & FAT CO., LTD.]
Founded in 1921, MIYOSHI OIL & FAT CO., LTD. is a long-established company that manufactures and sells edible processed oils and fats, industrial oils and fats, and other products.
The company is one of Japan’s top producers of edible oils and fats, with approximately 1,000 products including margarine, shortening, lard, and whipping cream.
■[About botanova]
・Thoughts behind the naming
‘botanova’ is a name created by combining two words: “botanical,” meaning “plant,” and “nova,” meaning “new”. The name expresses MIYOSHI OIL & FAT enthusiasm for opening up new plant-based food domains.
“botanova” products will contribute to the SDGs 13. “take concrete measures against climate change” and 15. “protect the abundance of land.”
By developing “botanova” products made from plant-based ingredients instead of products made from animal-based ingredients, we will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.
By using oil certified by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), of which we are a member, in our “botanova” products, we will work to preserve the global environment and protect animals.
The three botanova brand products of ‘botanova’, the ‘botanova Butter Flavor’, ‘botanova Lard Flavor’, and ‘botanova Beef Fat Flavor’, will contribute to the SDGs 13. Moreover, it is vegan certified and uses RSPO certified oil.
[What is vegan certification?]
“botanova” products are certified as vegan if they meet the criteria set by the VegProject Japan, a non-profit organization. The products do not contain meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy products, honey, or any other animal-derived ingredients.
*However products containing animal ingredients are also manufactured in the same product facilities.
[What is RSPO certification?]
“botanova” products use RSPO certified oil. The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a non-profit organization comprised of seven stakeholders in sustainable oil palm products.
■Survey Overview
【Subject condition】 Men and women aged 20-79 nationwide, regardless of whether they are unmarried or married.
【Respondent Attributes】 Male:Female = 48.3:50.6
【Survey Method】 Internet survey
【Survey Period】 2021/11/15 – 2021/11/17
【Number of valid responses】 2155
