Frost & Sullivan, a global market research and analysis firm, presented its North American Product Leadership Award to Minneapolis-based Cargill to honor the company’s CoroWise Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer plant sterols.

In the award announcement, Frost & Sullivan analysts recognized CoroWise plant sterols as unique and successful in the market due to the product line’s superior organoleptic properties and enhanced solubility, in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved health claim that substantiates the strong science backing the product.

“According to the American Heart Association, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the United States is growing at a very fast pace,” says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Ashwin Raj Ravinder. “Almost 44% of the population above the age of 20 has elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Frost & Sullivan notes that plant sterols have been considered to be one of the most efficacious ingredients in helping manage LDL cholesterol levels, and our independent research shows that Cargill has been meticulous in creating the CoroWise brand of plant sterols to suit the needs of customers and consumers.”

Frost & Sullivan assessed the performance of CoroWise plant sterols against key competitors using criteria such as product features and functionality, innovation, product acceptance in the marketplace, value-added enhancements and product quality.

CoroWise plant sterols are being incorporated into a growing number of foods, beverages and dietary supplements.