AAK Annual Report 2017

+HDOWK DQG FRVW HI¿FLHQF\ As our customers strive to respond to the fast-changing demands of their markets, it has become increasingly neces- sary for us to meet their needs by developing customized, highly functional products. Many customer demands are inspired by health trends. Our expertise has enabled us to maintain high functionality while reducing the majority of industrially produced trans fats, believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH :+2 DQG WKH 1RUGLF 1XWULWLRQ 5HFRPPHQGDWLRQV the intake of trans fatty acids should be kept at an absolute minimum as any intake of trans unsaturated fatty acids is related to an increase of LDL (the bad cholesterol) in the blood. the intake of saturated fatty acids should be limited to a maximum of 10 percent of the energy intake because of its increasing effect on total cholesterol compared to unsaturated fatty acids. &RVW HI¿FLHQF\ LV DQRWKHU LPSRUWDQW WUHQG LQ RXU FXVWRPHU demands, either through reduced cost of raw materials or of processing costs. This is driven by a highly compet- itive market and retailers continuing to challenge food manufacturers. Sustainable growth Sustainable growth is a cornerstone of our company program The AAK Way and essential to our vision of being WKH ¿UVW FKRLFH IRU YDOXH DGGLQJ YHJHWDEOH RLO VROXWLRQV )RU us, sustainable growth is about our responsibility towards all of our key stakeholders – the local communities where we operate, our global customers, employees, investors, and suppliers. The foundation of our model for sustainable growth is the ten principles of the UN Global Compact, UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and our policies and codes. 'ULYLQJ SURJUHVV ZH ZRUN ZLWKLQ ¿YH IRFXV DUHDV 2XU Customers, Our Suppliers, Our Planet, Our People, and Our Neighbours, where we continuously set and deliver on ambitious objectives and benchmarks for our performance, internally and externally. The interaction with customers is based on sound business ethics and a deep understanding of our respon- sibility for safeguarding customer brands. As a supplier of ingredients for some of the world’s best-known brands, we recognize our role and our customers’ expectations and see these as key elements in the execution of The AAK Way. What is fat and why do we need it? Fat is essential to life. The many types are divided into four PDLQ JURXSV Saturated fat is found in animal products such as butter, cream, milk, meat and vegetable oils from tropical plants, such as coconut oil and palm oil. Saturated fats are characterized by their ability to remain solid at room temperature. Monounsaturated fat is found in almonds, olive oil, rapeseed oil and other vegetable oils. Monounsaturated fat is suitable for cooking, being more heat-stable than polyunsaturated fat. Polyunsaturated fat LV IRXQG LQ VKHOO¿VK RLO\ ¿VK VXFK DV salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines, and vegetable oils. Omega-3 and omega-6 are examples of polyunsaturated fats. Trans fats are a particular form of unsaturated fats. They occur naturally in milk and fat from ruminants, but are also formed when vegetable fat is partially hydrogenated. Fat is part of all the cells in the body. Our bodies need fat to produce hormones and other important substances. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. That means that the body’s ability to absorb these vitamins is dependent on the presence of fat. One third of our daily energy requirements must be met by calories from fat. For adults, this means a daily fat intake of 60–90 grams, each gram containing nine calories. Carbohydrates and proteins contain four calories per gram. Saturated fats and trans fats are believed to LQFUHDVH WKH OHYHO RI /'/ FKROHVWHURO ³EDG´ cholesterol) in the blood, while unsaturated fats have a positive effect on blood cholesterol.