Individuals who consume higher amounts of specific plant-derived compounds, such as polyphenols and particular types of lignans and phytosterols, are at a reduced risk of contracting COVID-19, a new study by authors from Poland has concluded.
The cholesterol-reducing potential of phytosterols are well established, and a new meta-analysis now suggests the heart-friendly ingredients may also help manage blood pressure.
Plant sterol leader Unilever will soon be able to expand its plant sterol-fortified, cholesterol-lowering Pro.activ range into home cooking and baking oils, if a positive opinion is mandated across the EU.
Unilever has applied to UK authorities for EU novel foods approval for its cholesterol-lowering phytosterol esters in liquid vegetable fats used in home cooking and baking.
A new Spanish study suggests that fruit and milk-based fruit beverages are suitable vehicles for plant-based sterols, after detecting low sample levels of potentially harmful compounds called ‘POPs’.
Kraft Foods has urged Australasian authorities to remove restrictions on the package size of low-fat cheese enriched with phytosterol esters – less than two years after calling for their implementation.
The stability of plant sterols in functional foods for cholesterol reduction is high, says a new study from Spain which adds to the safety data surrounding phytosterols.
In the final part of our special focus on heart health, NutraIngredients looks at supply of select ingredients: Who are the key suppliers, and what options are available?
Henry Hussell, the head of marketing, Europe at Cargill Health and Nutrition, acknowledges the development of its plant sterols and beta glucan has been slower than many expected – but that doesn’t mean the agrofood giant has lost faith in them.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended that Kraft be given approval for plans to use plant sterols in reduced fat cheese but no final permission has been given.
Kraft Foods is a step closer to becoming the first company to win approval to use plant sterols in reduced fat cheese in New Zealand and Australia after a positive regulatory assessment.
Phytosterol-enriched foods are efficacious for reducing levels of LDL cholesterol, with no differences between stanols and sterols, or delivery in fat or non fat foods, says a new review.
The €400m European cholesterol-lowering, plant sterol market has a
new entrant after a non-GMO, soy-derived sterol ingredient was
yesterday approved for use within the European Union.
Naturis has asked the Food Standards Agency to approve the use of
phytosterols - which have been linked to having a positive effect
on lowering cholesterol - from soya bean seeds.
Demand for plant sterol ingredients continues to grown according to
manufacturer Phyto-Source, who has announced it is clearing up
production bottlenecks to make room for more supply.
Chinese ingredients supplier Fenchem has received novel foods
notification for its Cholevel plant sterols in the EU, opening up
the way for the ingredient's direct use in foods.
Alltracel has slashed its operating losses in first half 2006 and
continues to seek partners and acquisitions - a plan that may, at
some stage, involve teaming up with plant sterol or omega-3
suppliers.
Sales of phytosterols in Europe are predicted to more than double
by 2012, but companies need to turn consumer awareness into
understanding and acceptance, says a new report from Frost and
Sullivan.
Forbes Medi-Tech has completed the sale of its 50 percent share in
Phyto-Source, its sterol manufacturing joint venture with Chusei
(USA) to Chusei Oil Co for US$25 million, and plans to use the
proceeds to develop more nutraceutical...
Companies extracting sterols from pine trees are looking for a
greater share of Europe's cholesterol-lowering foods market,
exploiting the challenges faced by producers of vegetable
oil-derived sterols.
Specialty chemicals supplier Cognis said on Friday that it had
opened a €20 million facility for increased production of its plant
sterols and CLA, writes Dominique Patton.
Canadian company Forbes Medi-Tech said yesterday that it had
secured a sterols sales agreement for $24.4 million over a
three-year period beginning in January 2005.
A new phytosterol ingredient, said by its Swedish manufacturer to
represent the 'second generation' of phytosterol ingredients, has
been given the go-ahead for use on the European market.
Canadian sterol manufacturer Forbes Medi-Tech has significantly cut
its losses after sales of the cholesterol-lowering ingredient shot
up more than 80 per cent during 2003.
A new plant sterol-based ingredient that has added minerals to
benefit bone health and reduce blood pressure has gained regulatory
approval for use on the European market.
Canadian firm Forbes Medi-Tech saw shares jump 10 per cent this
week following the announcement by the European Food Safety Agency
(EFSA) that its cholesterol-lowering ingredient Reducol is safe.
A 50 per cent rise in monthly sales of phytosterols helped Canadian
firm Forbes-Medi-Tech register a strong end to its financial year.
But the coming year looks set to be difficult, with delays in the
approval procedure meaning that...