Del Monte partners Forbes to bring Reducol to India and Philippines

Forbes Medi-Tech has signed a three-year licence and supply agreement to grant Del Monte Pacific with exclusive rights to manufacture and sell food and beverages featuring the Reducol name across the Philippines, South Asia and Myanmar.

Reducol contains plant sterols and stanols, commonly known as phytosterols, which have been clinically proven to significantly lower low-density lipoprotein, or "bad cholesterol”. The ingredient does not change the sensory properties of foods, and can be formulated alone, or in combination with other active ingredients, for dietary supplements.

It has been incorporated into a variety of foods—including yogurts and yogurt drinks, processed cheese, milk drinks and spreads.

Forbes and Del Monte first got together in 2009 when the latter launched a pineapple juice line that featured Reducol.

"Asian consumers are hungry for nutraceutically enhanced foods and beverages and appreciate the convenience and taste such products also afford them," said Laura Wessman, senior vice-president of operations at Forbes, adding that she anticipated that other innovations would stem from the partnership.