Benecol is claiming a category first by bringing its cholesterol-lowering credentials to the smoothies category.

The Benecol Fruit & Dairy Smoothie, which comes in orange, mango and pineapple flavour, is the first smoothie to combine cholesterol reduction with one of your 5-a-day, the company claimed. The drink contains 93 calories per 150ml bottle (rsp: £3.49 for a three-pack) and has no added sugar or preservatives.

Sales of functional dairy jumped 10% to £695m last year [TNS].