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The first double effect dairy product to promote cardiovascular health
Valio Evolus® double effect lowers cholesterol and helps control blood pressure
Valio has developed a product family with a unique double effect on cardiovascular health. Valio Evolus® double effect contains both cholesterol lowering plant sterol and blood pressure lowering milk protein based peptides produced using a Valio patented method. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure maintain blood vessel elasticity while high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and stiffening blood vessels are all considered cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The Valio Evolus double effect product family includes strawberry and orange-pineapple yoghurts, yoghurt-based daily dose drinks (raspberry and apple-pear), and fermented milk. All products are low lactose or lactose free.
Valio Evolus® double effect will be available in Finland in September superseding Valio’s former Evolus® product family. Read more >>
Further information:
Valio Evolus® double effect research: Tiina Jauhiainen, PhD, Concept Manager, tiina.jauhiainen@valio.fi, +358 50 384 1178
Product information: Elli Siltala, Marketing Manager, elli.siltala@valio.fi, +358 50 384 2532
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Halva launches soft filled liquorice sweets
The Finnish sweets manufacturer Halva is conquering the liquorice market by entering into a new liquorice product segment. The company, who has been well known for its quality soft, non-filled liquorice products for decades, is expanding its production and is starting to manufacture soft filled liquorice products of different tastes, shapes and colours. Halva is thus able to offer a wide range of liquorice, with something for everyone.
The launch of the filled liquorice products begins with the introduction of two mixed bags. The tastes in the fillings of the produts are strawberry, green apple, lemon and chocolate, with matching colours.
Halva Ltd., managing director Jean Karavokyros, phone +358 9 774 62 010, mobile phone +358 40 754 54 56 or jean.karavokyros@halva.fi
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Healthier
snacks gaining ground
New types
of snack with health promoting properties are finding their market niche,
launched in
Linkosuo
launched its Ruisnappi chili-lemon and onion-garlic rye snacks in December
2007. The company hopes the new products will find their way from the shops’
crispbread section to the snack shelves. Linkosuo has received a substantial
number of orders and 
has high expectations for the product. The company will
introduce new flavours at the turn of the year.
Less fat,
more fibre
Ruisnappi
rye snacks contain 12% dietary fibre, 72% rye by total weight, with a fat
content of just 9.4%, and are produced using vegetable oil. In short, Ruisnappi
contain less fat and more fibre than regular crisps.
Further information: Linkosuo
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SunSpelt
cereal hailed Organic Product of the Year
Sunspelt
logo“SunSpelt tomato garlic cereal is a snack product suitable for consumers of
all ages. And its considerably lower fat and salt content makes it a healthy
alternative to crisps. The product can be used for example as croutons in soups
or as a savoury breakfast cereal,” commented the Finnish Union for Organic
Farming at the award ceremony. SunSpelt’s tomato garlic cereal snack is made
from spelt, a special species of wheat.
Further information: SunSpelt
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Star Products of the Year 2008
The Star Product of the Year award bestowed by the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation (FFDIF) recognised the year’s leading Finnish food innovations, promoting product development and publicising the whole Finnish food industry.The winners were announced on 6th May 2008 during the Finnish Food Congress, the largest professional training event for the food sector in Finland.
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Presentation of the winners
HK Ruokatalo Ltd, VantaaStar Product of the Year 2008, Retail category:
Via ready-to-eat foods – Fish and seafood in Szechuan sauce, Chicken and goat cheese pasta, Cold smoked salmon and asparagus pasta, Beef teriyaki, Thai chicken curry.
Jury comment: “Via is a skilfully fashioned concept underpinned by a broad spectrum of innovation. The package looks good and incorporates new technology. Via combines tastiness and health. The product is a new type of premium class ready-to-eat food offering a quick and easy-to-prepare taste experience. It also appeals to new user groups.” Further information: HK Ruokatalo Oy, Anne Puisto, Marketing Manager, mobile +358 50 544 8710
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Kalajalostetehdas V. Hukkanen Oy, Vammala
Retail category, Honourable mention:
Kalaneuvos Baked salmon fillets in honey marinade, Baked salmon fillets in creamy marinade, Spiced ready-to-grill and Lemon pepper spiced ready-to-grill salmon fillets
Jury comment: “Kalaneuvos salmon fillets are tasty and very easy to prepare. The products improve and increase the availability of fresh fish in food outlets with no fish counter and offer a new opportunity to increase the consumption of fish. The well-designed package allows for heating in the oven, or grilling.” Further information:
Kalajalostetehdas V. Hukkanen Oy, Veijo Hukkanen, Managing Director, mobile +358 500 655 356
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Kasvis Galleria Oy, Kuopio
Star Product of the Year 2008, Food Service category:
Gourmet Bavaroise Stick: Strawberry-raspberry, Blackcurrant, Sea buckthorn, Dark chocolate, White chocolate
Jury comment: “Gourmet Bavaroise Sticks are a true innovation. The product is packed in a light, handy tube and lends itself to creative use in making many kinds of beautiful desserts. The bars are perfect for restaurant kitchens and kitchens with just a few staff. The flavours 
are delicious with a velvety consistency. Gourmet Bavaroise Sticks contain Finnish berries (30%) in a magnificent form.” Further information: Kasvis Galleria Oy, Tarja Peltola, Managing Director, mobile +358 400 676 878
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Ruoka-Saarioinen Ltd, Sahalahti
Food Service category, Honourable mention:
Fresh soups: Pureed sweet potato, Chicken vegetable & cheese soup, Vegetable borscht, Smoked rainbow trout puree, Russian fish soup
Jury comment: “Saarioinen Fresh soups are delicious just as they are, and can also be seasoned in the kitchen. The soups are equally suitable for lunch and for a gourmet meal. The package can be 
heated in a number of ways. The convenient package size means even kitchens where demand for soups is not high can serve all of their customers with a high-quality dish.” Further information: Ruoka-Saarioinen Oy, Katriina Pellas, Product Group Manager, mobile +358 500 734 555