Finnish food company Raisio has bought back the rights to the stanol ester used in Benecol’s cholesterol-lowering products.

Raisio bought the rights from its US partner McNeil Nutritionals. As part of the agreement, Raisio also gains the rights to the Benecol brand in France and the US in categories where McNeil and its European partner Cilag are not active.

Benecol is best known worldwide for its margarine but Raisio has also launched Benecol yoghurts, porridge and pasta in Finland. Under the agreement, Raisio can now export those products. “This means we can now launch innovative new products,” said Matti Rihko, CEO of Raisio.

Stanol Esters, the central ingredient, is derived from rapeseed.

Rihko said Raisio would probably form ventures with local companies and was planning to concentrate on the US and Chinese markets.

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