Finland introduces sterol labelling

October 6, 2004

05/10/2004 - Finland has introduced the EU's new labelling

requirements for food containing plant sterols and stanols this week,

which could produce innovative products.

The European Commission recently approved the use of plant sterols and

sterol esters in foods such as milk, cheese products and sauces,

opening up a range of new applications for functional food companies.

However it also released a generic regulation on phytosterol labelling

to apply to all sterol-based foods, including those already on the

market, with a detailed reference to the recommended daily dose of up

to 3 grams per day.

This means that the food industry will need to work harder to design

foods that are compact enough to contain this amount in a single serving.

Jouko Broman, vice president of sales and marketing at Raisio Benecol,

commented in an interview earlier this year: " We understand the

precaution for limiting the dosage of sterols but it makes the pack

size of the food important. The food industry will have to get

creative to get around this. "

The regulation also requires manufacturers to provide information to

guide and target the use of the products to people with an elevated

cholesterol level. The labelling shall also clearly indicate who must

not use the products.

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