Olivine unveils low-fat margarine

IN an effort to curb lifestyle diseases that include diabetes and high blood pressure, Olivine Industries — one of Zimbabwe’s largest food producers — last Friday unveiled Buttercup Lite, a new low-fat margarine product targeted at health-conscious consumers.

Speaking during the launch, Olivine marketing manager Ms Charmaine Munetsi said the new product responds to consumers’ needs.

“We have seen that there is an increasing trend of health and wellness awareness.

“We have also noticed an increase in lifestyle diseases like diabetes.

“We had to look at what we have and try to match what the consumer needs,” she said.

Ms Munetsi said Olivine invested US$15,5 million into the product.

“We have invested into the Buttercup Lite plant and a baker’s feed plant.

“We have spent US$15,5 million to develop the plant.

“The company has also expanded its footprints in Zambia, Botswana and we are moving into Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa.

“But basically, Buttercup is known in those regions because it is our flagship brand,” she added.

Olivine group corporate affairs executive Mr Sylvester Dendere said the firm was committed to supporting investments in the country’s agricultural value chain.

“The organisation is participating in the value chain of agricultural products,” he said.

“We do contract farming so that we secure soya beans, which is the main ingredient in the manufacture of cooking oil.

“Once we have crushed that, we get cooking oil from the soya beans and part of the oil is then used in the manufacturing of Buttercup.”