Benecol products 15 years in the markets

Benecol products 15 years in the markets - 
From Finnish innovation into a global product family of functional foods

Cholesterol-lowering Benecol® products have already been 15 years in the
markets. Benecol margarine, globally the first food actively lowering
cholesterol, was launched in Finland on 16 November 1995. Today, Benecol is an
internationally known and recognised product family of cholesterol-lowering
foods. Millions of people on five continents and in over thirty countries use
Benecol products daily to lower their cholesterol. 

“Benecol is a pioneer in cholesterol-lowering functional foods, and it has
created a completely new global product category. We developed the first
product in the world that actively lowers cholesterol. In 2003, we were the
first company world-wide to launch highly popular cholesterol-lowering yoghurt
drinks,” says Mikko Laavainen, Commerdial Director of Raisio's Benecol
business. “Consumption of Benecol products has increased during the economic
recession showing that people want to take care of their health and well-being
also in bad times by using reliable products.” 

Benecol products are based on the innovation of the researchers of Raisio and
University of Helsinki. They discovered the cholesterol-lowering effect of
plant stanol ester, and developed a way to use it in food processing. Plant
stanol ester is a plant-based ingredient whose sufficient daily use
significantly reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the digestive tract,
and thus effectively lowers blood total and the “bad” LDL cholesterol. 
 
Raisio continues the active research work of plant stanol ester in cooperation
with universities both in Finland and abroad. “As a proof of extremely strong
research evidence, plant stanol ester has been approved as part of several
international and national care guidelines aiming to decrease cardiovascular
risks. Benecol also obtained a permission to use the EU Commission's strong
health claim in its marketing,” says Ingmar Wester, Research and Development
Director of Raisio's Benecol business. 

Benecol is one of the world leaders in cholesterol-lowering foods. Benecol is a
global trademark owned by Raisio, and plant stanol ester is an ingredient
patented worldwide by Raisio. Only Benecol® products contain plant stanol
ester. Benecol products are sold and marketed by Raisio's wide network of
partners. The most popular Benecol products include yoghurt drinks,
margarine-type spreads, yoghurts and other products made especially for local
markets. 


RAISIO PLC                                                                      

Heidi Hirvonen                                                                  
Communications Manager 
tel. + 358 50 567 3060 


Further information:
Mikko Laavainen, Benecol Division, Commercial Director, tel. +358 40 576 8348. 
Ingmar Wester, Benecol Division, R&D Director, tel. +358 50 601 32
Susanna Rosin, Benecol Division, Nutrition Manager , tel. +358 400 878 637