Mens sana in corpore sano
Latin for: a healthy mind in a healthy body.
bio-familia AG
All bio-familia AG cereal products are produced by the idyllic Sarnersee, surrounded by high mountains and Alpine air. bio-familia AG was founded in 1954 under the name Somalon AG. The idea of the young company was to produce, for a mass market, the successful food developed by Dr. Bircher-Benner, the late 19th century Swiss doctor. familia “Bio-Birchermüesli“ – the healthy food for the whole family – grew from this original idea. The product was soon exported and, thanks to its successful marketing worldwide, the Swiss word “müesli“ became known throughout the world.
Even today, home-made Birchermüesli is regularly served up as a natural, healthy meal for many Swiss families, and even if you have no time in your busy life to prepare it yourself, it can now be bought from supermarkets and bakeries – either as breakfast on the go or as a light snack.
Over the years bio-familia AG has developed a wide range of products – fun animal shapes, crunchy wholegrain muesli and much, much more.
Milestones
1954 Somalon AG was founded.
1959 Bio-Birchermüesli was launched in Switzerland and in 1960 was exported to Germany, the USA, Austria, England and the Netherlands.
1977 familia Crunchy Müesli was launched – in response to trends from the USA for a crunchier tasting cereal.
1978 Somalon AG was renamed bio-familia AG.
1979 familia Champion was launched, the complete food for athletes, and soon became the daily breakfast of choice for numerous national squads, like the Swiss ski, athletics, cycling and volleyball teams, to name but a few.
1987 Extrusion technology was introduced enabling the production of lighter, airier products – yet still low in fat, high in fibre and easy to digest.
1989 Environmental awareness was increasing: instead of using bag-in-box packaging, organic products now came in attractive, eco-friendly transparent bags with clips.
1992 Investment in the bakery division with the installation of a conveyor oven to meet the increasing demand for crunchy breakfast cereals.
1994 familia Jungle Crunch hit the market – a new strategic “foot in the door” of attractive children’s products (shaped cereals); familia was awarded ISO 9001 certification.
1995 Grand opening of the factory outlet shop. The new range “Goodness from Obwalden“ – traditional, lovingly-prepared specialities from the Sarnersee region was successfully introduced by bio-familia.
1997 A world “first“ – the launch of familia c.m.plus, the functional food müesli, with calcium and magnesium, to boost bone mass.
1998 Certification of international food standard BRC
1999 The launch of the second functional food product - familia a.c.e.balance – with vitamins A, C and E and inulin to build up the body’s natural defences.
2000 Further building investment as a result of strong economic growth: a new plant was constructed with a second conveyor oven, the extrusion plant was moved and improved and the company underwent a repeat audit and was awarded ISO 9001 re-certification.
2003 "familia fit crisp" was launched - the first crunchy müesli with only 5% fat - and won the prestigious Swiss Marketing Trophy. // The familia Swiss Premium range hit the export market.
2005 bio-familia AG received an award from the Co-op chain in appreciation of its pioneering work in organic food, particularly in relation to its own Co-op “bio” organic range.
2007 Launch of the first functional muesli based on a family recipe - familia BodyBalance – for healthier digestion.
2008 Initial use of green electricity in production process, certification with label "naturemade star".
2009 It's familia's jubilee year.
Dr. Maximilian Bircher-Benner
The founder of Birchermüesli
Dr. Maximilian Bircher Benner, born in 1867 in Aarau (CH), was a revolutionary spirit. As a child he suffered some problems with his health and this may have influenced his decision to go into medicine. He placed great emphasis on holistic nutrition and, contrary to the general view held at the time by doctors, he was convinced of the healing properties of raw fruit and vegetables. But this conviction cost him his membership of the medical society. In 1904 Max Bircher founded the "Living Force" (Lebendige Kraft) sanatorium on the Zurichberg where he put into practice the findings of his research into nutrition. This work resulted, amongst other things, in the recipe for "Birchermüesli", which would go on to achieve fame throughout the world. The recipe consisted of oat flakes, raw apples, condensed milk, nuts and lemon juice and, using it, Dr Bircher achieved overwhelming improvements in the health of many of his patients.