File Photo
San Francisco, USA – MISTA, a world-leading food innovation platform and Givaudan entity, celebrates the success of its third annual Growth Hack, focused on healthy nutrition. The initiative brought together more than 50 start-ups, 7 global corporates and food system enablers, pooling resources to accelerate innovation across beverages, snacking and center-of-plate solutions.
Against the backdrop of rising obesity rates—now affecting over one billion people worldwide—and growing scrutiny of ultra-processed foods, MISTA’s 2025 Growth Hack has shown how curated collaboration can deliver real impact. Over twelve weeks of intensive exploration, members co-created more than 15 breakthrough food and beverage concepts designed to address consumer needs for the next generation of healthy and delicious food and beverage products.
The results were unveiled on 8 October at MISTA’s Healthy Nutrition Demo Day in San Francisco, where over 200 food and beverage leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs gathered. The day-long program included expert panels, technology showcases, market insights and prototypes created with Growth Hack innovations. The evening culminated with a reception featuring animal-free culinary creations by renowned Executive Chef Phil Saneski.
Scott May, Head of MISTA, says: “The future of food will not be defined by one breakthrough but by how well we work together. This year’s Growth Hack demonstrated that with curiosity, collaboration and the right technologies, we can create products that nourish both people and the planet—without compromising on taste, safety or accessibility.”
Combining the deep industry knowledge and expertise of leading ingredient producers Givaudan, Ingredion, and AAK, technology suppliers SIG, JPG Resources and Buhler, CPG leader Danone, and an array of progressive start-ups, MISTA sets the stage for radical collaboration and the co-creation of pioneering, forward-thinking solutions with elite nutrition levels.
Examples of innovation included:
*Power Start Breakfast Burrito – a delicious, high-protein, low-fat, animal-free way to start the day.
*Smart Nougat – a low-carb, high-fiber, indulgent snack that supports brain and gut health.
*Blue Wave Brain Shot – a vibrant, ocean-inspired smoothie shot that nourishes the brain.
Industry leaders echoed the importance of working together. “The MISTA Growth Hack is the platform where all kinds of players can come together and collaborate,” said Alexandre Bastos, Head of Front End Innovation, Ventures & Competitive Intelligence at Givaudan. “It is not only about the technologies or ingredients but the sense of community that drives systemic change.”
As part of its mission to transform the global food system, MISTA will continue to spark ideas and design food solutions that will inspire future products for years to come.
To learn more, please visit www.mistafood.com.
About MISTA
MISTA’s mission is to help transform the global food system to meet the needs of the future...an abundant future that nourishes and delights people and planet. We are a global nodal network and innovation platform consisting of members ranging from large, established companies to new food technology start-ups. We practice curated collaboration by bringing companies together in a trust-based ecosystem to work in new ways, inspiring innovative, regenerative solutions that accelerate the changes required to solve challenges facing our global food system. For more information, go to www.mistafood.com.
About Givaudan
Givaudan is a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty and Taste & Wellbeing. We celebrate the beauty of human experience by creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Together with our customers we deliver food experiences, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good. In 2024, Givaudan employed over 16,900 people worldwide and achieved CHF 7.4 billion in sales with a free cash flow of 15.6%. With a heritage that stretches back over 250 years, we are committed to driving long-term, purpose-led growth by improving people's health and happiness and increasing our positive impact on nature. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Discover more at www.givaudan.com
About Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing
Powered by innovation and creativity, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing aims to shape the future of food by becoming the co-creation partner of choice to its customers. Built on its global leadership position in flavours and taste, the Company goes beyond to create food experiences that do good and feel good, for body, mind and planet. With an expanded portfolio of products across flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions and a deep knowledge of the food ecosystem, Givaudan’s passion is to collaborate with customers and partners to develop game-changing innovations in food and beverages. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Learn more about how we are shaping the future of food at www.givaudan.com/taste-wellbeing
Source: Email/GFMM
Comment Now