Re-invented oat

Doctor of Food Sciences Reetta Andolin (neé Kivelä) developed pulled oats, an oat-based plant protein, in 2014 at the prompting of a childhood friend. Andolin, who wrote her doctoral thesis on oat β-glucan, set to work. A couple of years later, pulled oats was the most talked-about food product in Finland. 

Andolin wishes to promote the sustainability of food production. Before pulled oats, she worked in large food companies, but food that takes into consideration the sustainability of Earth was considered unrealistic tinkering at the time. In the spring of 2015, Andolin and her associate established a startup to produce pulled oats, enabling them to adhere to their values.

Today, Andolin is the chief innovation officer of a major Finnish food company. She believes that individual food inventions and focusing on minor problems will not solve the current problem of overconsumption. Moreover, choices should not be left up to individual consumers. Instead, various parties should together take big leaps towards a more sustainable future.