Cognis Partners in Sterols Promotion

27/07/05 Cognis Nutrition & Health, the world’s largest producer of sterols and sterol esters, is partnering with food manufacturers to build awareness for the heart health benefits of these increasingly popular ingredients. 

“The FDA-approved heart health claim is catching on with consumers interested in reducing their risk of heart disease by incorporating sterols into their diet as part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Dave Eckert, Vice President, Cognis Nutrition & Health. “Cognis is working with a number of food companies to formulate products such as spreads and yogurts with sterols and sterol esters, which have been shown to reduce cholesterol.  We see tremendous opportunities to promote heart health on a global basis—the natural way—through foods enriched with sterols and sterol esters,” Mr. Eckert explained.

This industry opinion is widely shared, according to recent data cited by trends expert Elizabeth Sloan, Ph.D.  Cardiovascular health was ranked as the “best opportunity” in functional foods for the next 2-5 years by half of the largest 400 multinational food companies surveyed*.  Natural ingredients followed closely behind with 45% and cholesterol reduction was cited by 42% of respondents.

While the word is catching on in the food category, according to recent data from Information Resources, Inc., sales of dietary supplements with sterols and sterol esters also continue to see major increases.  For the period ending in May, dollar sales of phytosterols jumped nearly 67 percent compared to last year. 
Studies show that a cholesterol reduction of 10 percent can be reasonably achieved through daily use of sterols.  Cognis’ phytosterols meet the requirements of the FDA-approved heart health claim for coronary disease risk reduction: 21CFR101.83. 

“We have been formulating products with sterols longer than any other supplier in the industry.  So,we have the experience and data on how to fortify foods and beverages with phytosterols without adversely affecting taste, smell, color or texture for a seemingly infinite number of food applications,“ said Mr. Eckert.