Finnish food industry's strengths - purity and conscientiousness

The Finnish food industry and research are forerunners in the development of functional foods. The sector is expected to grow by about five per cent a year annually until 2006, when it is estimated that the world market for functional foods will be 70 billion euros. Measured by the number of employees, the food industry is the third-biggest industry in Finland.
The food industry's success with research and development is built on patented innovations that must be based on clinical research that stands up to scientific criticism. A food is functional if, in addition to the normal nutritional effect, it has been scientifically proven to have an effect that promotes or maintains a person's health, physical performance or mental well-being and/or it reduces the risk of illness. The functional property of a food is achieved by removing, replacing or converting parts or properties of the food.

The Evolus® fermented milk product, which reduces blood pressure and has won the title 'Star Product of the Year 2001', is a good example of a patented innovation like this. The Evolus® milk drink, which is produced by Valio, affects blood pressure in many ways. Its effect is based on the peptides obtained from milk's protein. It is possible to produce bioactive tripeptides, which reduce blood pressure, by fermenting milk casein with certain lactic acid bacteria. The electrolytic composition of the product is also good for blood pressure and it includes only a little sodium, and it has been supplemented with beneficial calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Other functional innovative products from Valio are the Gefilus products, foods that contain the Lactobacillus GG (LGG) strain. It has been proven that LGG increases resistance to inflammations, provides protection against diarrhoea, reduces the risk of allergy and is effective in the treatment of children with milk allergies.

The lactose-free light milk drink is a really new innovation both in Finland and in Europe. It is milk that tastes like pure milk and has had the lactose completely removed by a method developed by Valio. Interest is widespread in regions such as Asia, where almost the entire population suffers from lactose intolerance.

The producer of the functional Benecol products is the Finnish company Raisio Benecol Ltd. The first product was a margarine that reduces cholesterol in the blood, but these days the Benecol product range includes not only margarine but also cheese spreads, yogurts, mayonnaise, sausages, meat balls, etc.

Xylitol chewing gum, which prevents cavities in the teeth, began a worldwide revolution in 1975, when the Finnish company Leaf launched Xylitol Jenkki onto the market.

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