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As increasing number of consumers are taking control of their health, functional foods represent an exciting and growing market, particularly in the area of heart health. Heart disease and stroke affect a significant percentage of adults across the globe, yet the World Health Organisation estimates that 8 out of 10 premature deaths from these conditions could be prevented with changes to diet and lifestyle. One of the most effective changes is a reduction in blood cholesterol, particularly the 'bad' LDL cholesterol. This is where Benecol® has a major role to play as one of the most effective food product for cholesterol reduction.

This website provides information about Benecol and its special functional ingredient, Plant stanol ester. It also introduces Raisio, the pioneering Finnish company behind the Benecol brand. The Raisio business model involves licensing the Benecol brand and selling the effective and safe cholesterol lowering ingredient, Plant stanols ester, to food companies around the world. With Benecol established as a globally-recognised brand and one of the most successful functional foods, there is no better partner for your functional food business than Raisio.

  1. Growing interest in healthy brands

    Today’s consumers are interested in getting health benefits from the foods they eat. The functional food market leads the way in helping your customers to meet this need.

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  2. The cholesterol lowering category

    Almost four in ten adult consumers have raised cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of this growing market. Benecol® products offer consumers one easy step towards cholesterol reduction.
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  3. Benefits to your business

    The benefits of a partnership with Benecol® are many; a trusted brand, guaranteed success, and a versatile ingredient backed by scientific evidence.


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Benecol facts
 
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Growing interest in healthy brands

The functional food market continues to show strong growth globally; indeed, the US functional food market has grown by 31% since 2006. Strong growth is also predicted in emerging markets, such as those of Latin American and the Asia-Pacific regions . [1]

Today's consumers are more interested than ever before in getting health benefits from the foods they eat. Heart health is one of the leading categories, not least because nearly four in ten adults worldwide have high cholesterol levels. As awareness of the link between cholesterol and heart health spreads, more and more consumers will be looking for ways to lower their blood cholesterol levels by dietary means. This represents a great opportunity for those functional food products which offer cholesterol lowering benefits.

[1] "Future Directions for the Global Functional Foods Market", Author: Leatherhead Food Research, Published: June 2011

 
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The cholesterol lowering category

The Benecol® mission to lower the world's cholesterol levels began in 1989 when Dr Ingmar Wester, from the Finnish food company Raisio, developed the world's first effective cholesterol lowering ingredient - called Plant stanol ester. In 1995, the ingredient was incorporated into the first Benecol food product, a cholesterol lowering margarine. Today the cholesterol lowering food category is worth over one billion euros.

The future for the brand remains bright. Researchers predict that, by 2025, the number of consumers aged over 65 years will reach 830 million. Since almost 40% of adults have raised cholesterol levels, this represents a growing and significant opportunity for functional brands in the cholesterol lowering category.

How consumers benefit from using Benecol food products:

  • Easy way to lower cholesterol by substituting part of the daily diet with Benecol foods
  • Effective cholesterol reduction when products are consumed daily
  • Because Benecol is food, there are no side effects and the products are enjoyable to eat
  • Proven and tested by scientific studies
  • Supported by expert bodies and heart health foundations

Helping your consumers to lower their cholesterol levels with Benecol foods is a chance for your company to experience consistent sales growth, higher profit margins, and a special advantage over your competitors.

 
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Benefits to your business

Imagine the prospect of working in partnership with the brand which not only created the cholesterol lowering market - but which has enjoyed 16 years of success as a result.

A unique partnership that guarantees success

BP_accord _01Benecol® is the only brand in its class available for licensing. Together with its partners, Raisio has launched Benecol to 30 countries in 5 continents during the last 16 years. When entering into partnership with Raisio, you will get access to the learnings and key insights of the cholesterol lowering category. We will share our know-how in the fields of consumer and health care professional marketing, in product development, in science and regulatory as well as clinical studies.

The Benecol partnership model is unique; Benecol partners from around the world gather together yearly to share best practice and learn from each other.

Profitable business with loyal consumers

BP_accord _02Partnership with Raisio delivers value added products for your own market that offer clear and proven health benefits to consumers. The cholesterol lowering business is based on consumer need; consumers seeking to lower their cholesterol tend to be loyal and will pay a premium price to get an effective cholesterol lowering benefit by dietary means.

Brand that is globally trusted by millions of consumers

BP_accord _03Benecol® is an expert brand in cholesterol lowering which is why millions of consumers around the world trust Benecol every day. Benecol is a benefit brand and the cholesterol lowering ingredient in Benecol foods, Plant stanol ester, can be added to a large variety of products. With Raisio's help, you can develop a cholesterol lowering product that is right for your market.

Launching the cholesterol lowering Benecol brand to your market will improve your brand image as consumers and investors will see that you are a responsible company which has a desire to look after your country's wellbeing.

Visit local Benecol websites ».

Unique cholesterol lowering ingredient, Plant stanol ester, with proven efficacy

BP_accord _04All Benecol® foods contain Plant stanol ester as their active ingredient. The efficacy of Plant stanol ester has been proven in over 70 clinical trials around the world. Plant stanol ester is also proven to work in many kinds of food products and with different groups of people.
 
Plant stanol ester works by safely blocking the uptake of cholesterol from the digestive tract. This means that far less cholesterol gets into the blood, leading to a significant reduction in blood cholesterol levels. The results can be seen in just two weeks and will be maintained if Benecol products are consumed on a daily basis.

Plant stanol ester has been endorsed by food safety authorities in Europe, the US, Japan, China and Russia, and has received 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) status in the USA. In addition, Benecol products have been on the market for more than 15 years with no reports of adverse effects.

Plant stanols ester is one of the few ingredients that has received approval from the European Commission to use a disease reduction health claim.

One of the greatest discoveries in nutrition during the last 30 years

BP_accord _05The safety health benefits of Benecol® products have been recognised by the scientific community and expert bodies globally.

In 2009, Plant stanol ester was identified as one of the ten greatest discoveries in nutrition by a panel of leading international nutrition scientists. The review article [1], published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, chose the top nutrition discoveries from the last 30 years based on solid research data.

Plant stanol ester is also recommended by expert bodies, such as the American Heart Association International Atherosclerosis Society Australian Heart Foundation and American Diabetes Association. It is also approved by food safety authorities, such as the US Food and Drug Administration.

[1] Katan et al. (2009), Which are the greatest recent discoveries and the greatest challenges in Nutrition? European Journal Clinical Nutrition, vol. 63, pp. 2-10 (Available at: www.nature.com/ejcn)

An ingredient that is easy to add into different food products

BP_accord _06Plant stanol ester, the unique cholesterol lowering ingredient in Benecol® products, is made from plant stanols and vegetable oil extracts. Plant stanols are found naturally in small amounts in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, and vegetable oils.

A patented process, developed by Raisio, overcame this issue by mixing plant stanols with vegetable oil to create Plant stanol ester. The resulting ingredient has a smoother texture and no discernable flavour or odour, making it ideal for adding to a wide range of food and beverage products.

The technical properties of Plant stanols ester are:

  • Tasteless and odourless
  • Lactose-free
  • Vegetarian
  • Kosher and halal certified

More info on Plant stanol ester »

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Benecol products available in over 30 countries

Benecol® products are now available in 30 countries around the world where they are manufactured by well-established local food companies. This ensures that each country offers Benecol products that meet local needs. However, consumers can be assured that every Benecol product contains the special patented Finnish ingredient, Plant stanol ester.

  • Benecol Belgium

  • Benecol Finland

  • Benecol Romania

  • Benecol Romania

  • Hearti Benecol Thailand

  • Hearti Benecol Thailand

  • Benecol Finland

  • Benecol Finland

  • Benecol Finland

  • Kaiku Benecol Spain

  • Kaiku Benecol Spain

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Want to grow your business? Contact Raisio now

    1. Eija Petäjä

      Eija Petäjä

      Director, Sales & HCP Marketing

    2. Frank Campi

      Frank Campi

      Area Director, Americas

    3. Antti Kaskinen

      Antti Kaskinen

      Area Director, EMEA

    4. Olavi Erkinjuntti

      Olavi Erkinjuntti

      Area Director, Asia & Australia