Cholesterol-lowering Pirkka Reducol range complemented by rye bread
The Pirkka Reducol product range, jointly developed by Kesko Food and Scanvit Ltd, was last week complemented by a new product – cholesterol-lowering rye bread slices baked by Linkosuo. The active ingredient in the product range is Reducol, a mixture of plant stanols and sterols processed from tall oil.
"Health-promotion is well in line with the Pirkka products whose most important properties are safety and good quality", says Kaija Grommi, Kesko Food’s Product Group Manager.
Buckthorn yoghurt has proved the most popular product in the Pirkka Reducol range. Its demand has grown particularly in the Kainuu province, the west coast, and North and South Carelia. In Greater Helsinki, the demand has increased markedly more in the downtown area compared with the other city areas.
"Comparing the popularity of health-promoting products in different geographical areas provides interesting information about the differences of consumption behaviour in different parts of Finland,” says Jukka Saarela, Kesko Food’s Research Manager.
According to Saarela, people who use health-promoting products prefer natural, original flavours, which partly explains the popularity among consumers enjoyed by buckthorn yoghurt. Rye bread was added to the range in order to meet the requirements of these consumers.
"The Pirkka Reducol rye bread slices are rich in taste and fibre. The product is also lactose-free", says Veikko Palttala, Product Development Manager of Linkosuo.
In addition to rye bread slices and buckthorn yoghurt, the Pirkka Reducol range comprises light, lactose-free vegetable fat spread, and three low-lactose yoghurt flavours: raspberry, cranberry and natural.
Further information:
Kaija Grommi, Product Group Manager, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22260
Perttu Rönkkö, Managing Director, Scanvit Ltd, tel. +358 9 6767 99, or +358 50 537 2722
Press service: www.vision.fi/ruokakesko or www.scanvit.fi.
Reducol™ (www.reducol.fi) is an internationally patented and widely researched product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EFSA) have recognised it as a safe and efficient health-promoting ingredient for lowering cholesterol levels . Clinical research have proven that using foods with Reducol ingredients lowers cholesterol levels efficiently and safely. In addition to Finland, foods with Reducol ingredients are available in the Netherlands, Great Britain and North America.
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores raise the quality of consumers’ everyday lives by offering highly-appreciated products and services at competitive prices. Kesko operates in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Russia.
