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Cargill Introduces CoroWise™ Plant Sterols in Europe
MINNEAPOLIS - September 26, 2006 - Cargill has announced that its CoroWise™ Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer™ brand of plant sterols is available in the European market. Launched in the United States in 2003, CoroWise™ plant sterols are cholesterol-lowering ingredients that can be added to foods and beverages. They have been clinically shown to lower cholesterol and are approved for use in the EU in a variety of foods. In addition, products containing CoroWise™ Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer™ brand of plant sterols in the United States may be eligible to carry a health claim* authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
How CoroWise™ plant sterols work to help reduce cholesterol levels
Just as cholesterol is present in all animals, plants have a “sterol” of their own that is a natural cholesterol blocker. To the body, plant sterols look a lot like cholesterol, but they are not absorbed in the body like cholesterol. Therefore, when you digest a meal, plant sterols compete with cholesterol and help to block cholesterol’s absorption. Reducing total and LDL “bad” cholesterol levels in the body are recognized as important ways of reducing one’s risk for heart disease. In fact, the efficacy of plant sterols is supported by over 50 years of clinical research indicating that eating plant sterols can lower LDL cholesterol.
CoroWise™, a trusted brand of plant sterols, can be added to foods and beverages without increasing calories or affecting flavor or texture, making it easy for people to add plant sterols into their daily diets and help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
In the United States, CoroWise™ plant sterols have been included in a number of leading consumer products. Cargill’s plant sterols are currently approved for use in the EU in yellow fat spreads, yoghurt-type products, milk-based drinks, dressings, mayonnaise, cheese-type products, spicy sauces and rye bread, with other food uses pending.
“Cargill’s proprietary marketing research indicates that the majority of consumers in selected European markets think seriously about their health and the nutritional value of what they eat,” said David Henstrom, general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Cargill Health & Food Technologies. “Good-tasting, efficacious functional foods are experiencing a greater acceptance by mainstream consumers than ever before. We’re committed to promoting heart health by bringing easy-to-formulate forms of CoroWise™ plant sterols to a broader audience.”
For more information, please visit www.corowise.com or www.cargillhft.com.
*Foods containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of plant sterols, consumed twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 0.8 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 149,000 employees in 63 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.
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