Unilever says that there is no similarity between its cholesterol loweringmargarine and Bayer's Baycol (Lipobay) which was recently withdrawn fromthe market because of complaints over unacceptable side effects.This margarine is marketed under the name Becel Pro-Active in theNetherlands and Take Control in the US.Unlike Bayer's drug, it is not intended as a therapeutic agent and itscholesterol lowering action is based on plant sterols rather than statinsas in Baycol.Unilever says the announcement by Bayer will have no affect on its salesof cholesterol lowering margarines and does not necessitate that itsmargarines be further studied for possible adverse side effects.Earlier in 2001 a French report suggested that consumption of largeamounts of cholesterol lowering fats could result in breast, intestinal,and prostate cancer, but these finding were contested by Dutchmanufacturers of margarine, fats, and oils.In 1H 2001 Unilever recorded a turnover of EUR 50 M for cholesterollowering margarine in the Netherlands and the US.

08/15/2001Chemical Business NewsBase