NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 17, 2005) -- 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.

Cognis’ complete line of sterols products for foods is kosher and GRAS for vegetable oil spreads, salad dressings, bars, mayonnaise, white bread products, muffins, whole grain and wheat breads, a range of dairy products, cereals, cookies, meal replacement products, fruit and vegetable-based drinks, peanut butter and chocolate products.  
Cognis’ exacting standards for quality include Good Manufacturing Practices and ISO 9001 compliance. Cognis offers non-GMO sterol and sterol esters to meet the growing demand for food products being launched worldwide.

For more information about Cognis’ sterol and sterol ester products, visit www.cognis.com or in North America, please call 800.673.3702 to place an order, e-mail cognis.custserv@cognis-us.com, or fax 513.482.3576. 
For information in Europe, call +49 2173 4995 116, e-mail nutrition-and-health-europe@cognis.com, or fax +49 2112006-10116.

For information in Asia Pacific, call +61.3.9584.4588, e-mail nutrition-and-health-asia@cognis.com, or fax +61.3.9584.8348.

About Cognis:
 
Cognis (www.Cognis.com) is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients.  It employs about 8,100 people, and has production sites and service centers in 30 countries.  The company has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries.  Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.  Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences.  In 2004, Cognis recorded sales of 3.07 billion Euros and an operating profit before depreciation, amortization and exceptional items (EBITDA adjusted) of 362 million Euros.
  
Cognis Nutrition and Health, a business unit of Cognis Group, offers one of the industry’s largest  portfolios of natural-source, health-enhancing ingredients for dietary supplements, functional foods,  medical nutrition, pharmaceutical and healthcare products.  As a global supplier, Cognis partners with  industry leaders to provide science-backed products to meet today’s most pressing consumer health  needs. Cognis also manufactures emulsifiers, emulsifier-based compounds, and numerous other specialty  products for the food industry worldwide.

*2004 Prepared Foods Functional Foods Trends Survey
 
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