Hecto Healthcare has launched a propolis jelly for growing children. The company’s functional food brand Kim Seok-jin LAB introduced the Kids Green Propolis Jelly Stick on Thursday.

The product contains Brazilian green propolis and zinc, considering both oral health care and immune function. It contains flavonoids, a key active ingredient in propolis. Flavonoids are an indicator ingredient used to judge the quality and functional characteristics of propolis raw materials and are used in oral antibacterial-related research.

The main ingredient is 100 percent Brazilian green propolis obtained from the sap of Baccharis flowers that grow naturally in clean highland areas at altitudes of 800 metres or higher in Brazil. It obtained an S.I.F certification mark that meets the Brazilian government’s hygiene and quality standards. It reduces propolis’ strong scent and taste and delivers a sweet tropical fruit flavour so children can eat it without aversion.

Hecto Healthcare said it designed the product to focus on raw materials by minimising the use of excipients such as HPMC, aspartame and colourants. The recommended age is 3 and older, based on an intake of one stick a day.

Kim Seok-jin LAB is expanding its portfolio by adding the green propolis jelly stick to its existing kids’ functional food lineup, including Kids Omega 3 Smart Chew and I’m Big Key. It plans to strengthen competitiveness as a specialist brand focused on children’s health, based on synergies with existing products such as the premium probiotics brand De Simone.

A Hecto Healthcare official said, "Kids Green Propolis Jelly Stick is a product that considers oral health and immune function together, and is the result of a meticulous design process from raw materials to taste and ingredients." The official added, "We will continue to introduce differentiated products that children can enjoy without aversion while taking care of their health, and will keep expanding kids’ health solutions so parents can choose with greater peace of mind."