HKScan’s pork that comes from pigs that are bred without antibiotics and fed on locally sourced grain, rapeseed and Finnish legumes has won a prestigious international innovation competition. The prize was awarded in Brussels on Nov. 29. The competition was organized by the joint organization Copa Cogeca (the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organizations and the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives). HKScan participated with its largest owner, LSO Osuuskunta.
A unique product
The innovation prize was won by “Omega-3 Pork, No Antibiotics Ever” pork meat, which is based on HKScan’s Rypsiporsas meat, introduced in Finland in 2011. In Sweden, the concept – Svensk Rapsgris – was launched in 2012.
“With the Rypsiporsas concept, the pigs are fed on a diet that includes unsaturated fat from Finnish rapeseed. This ensures that the fat composition of the meat becomes softer and contains more omega-3 fatty acids than regular pork. As a result, the meat is tastier, as well as juicier and more tender. This also makes it a better choice in terms of dietary fat. The concept has now been further developed so that the pigs are raised without antibiotics throughout their lives”, says Pia Nybäck, HKScan’s EVP, Animal Sourcing and Primary Production.
HKScan's innovation demonstrates the export power of Finnish food
The product has been developed to meet consumers’ expectations for healthier and tastier pork. The new concept has proven to be highly competitive on the export market. The product is currently being exported to three countries.
“This new pork meat combines the best features of Finnish food: delicious taste, purity, safety and responsibility. It fits well into the story of Finland, its nature and people, and HKScan’s 100-year history,” says Heli Arantola, HKScan’s EVP, Categories & Concepts.
The first batch of “Omega-3 Pork, No Antibiotics Ever,” was exported to demanding Asian markets last summer. It is marketed there as the world’s best pork. This Christmas, HKScan will bring a small batch of HK Farmarin kinkku -Christmas hams of the same meat to the Finnish market.
Audited production and precise directives
HKScan’s “Omega-3 Pork, No Antibiotics Ever” is reared on Taru and Matti Antikainen's farm in Aura, southwest Finland. The pigs are taken good care of in the farm. Because the pigs are healthy and contented they don’t need to be given antibiotics during their lifetime.
HKScan has ensured that the production method is trustworthy and that no antibiotics are used through an external auditing. The audit was carried out by Det Norske Veritas.
Cooperation with the entire farm to fork chain
“LSO Osuuskunta and HKScan have together developed this genuinely innovative product in our members’ farms. We are delighted to have won this award. It’s great that an internationally significant innovation that meets health and responsibility criteria is being recognized in this way,” says LSO Osuuskunta’s Managing Director, Veikko Kemppi. Kemppi and Ulf Jahnsson, HKScan’s Director of Producer Services, received the award in Brussels.
The same concept received an honorable mention earlier this year in an export competition organized by the supermarket chain Lidl: http://www2.hkscan.com/portal/suomi/hkscan/tiedotearkisto/?id=2265
