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October 21, 1999 | |
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Soyaworld urges Health Canada to allow Soy Protein Health Claim on Food Labels
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Historic Ruling Permits Soy Protein Health Claim in US.
US Food and Drug Administration Decision Affirms Diet High in Soy Protein and Low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol May Reduce Risk of Coronary Heart Disease. Vancouver, B.C.: Soyaworld Inc., manufacturer of the So Good soy beverage, today called on Health Canada to allow Canadian soy food manufacturers to make scientific health claims along the lines of that approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a historic ruling, the FDA announced today that food products that contain a minimum of 6.25-grams of soy protein per serving, will be allowed to state on their labels and in advertising, that soy protein, consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the most serious form of cardiovascular disease and is the number one cause of death in Canada and the United States. The ruling makes soy protein the third food ever to be allowed to make this health claim. Oat bran and psyllium can also carry a health claim associated with heart disease risk reduction. Maheb Nathoo, general manager and chief executive officer of Soyaworld, said in a letter to Health Minister Allan Rock that the FDA ruling "is especially important to consumers who wish to more fully inform themselves of the health attributes of the foods they purchase as part of a preventative health strategy. " Nathoo urged Health Canada to examine the FDA's decision and extend similar authority to Canadian food manufacturers once the validity of the decision has been affirmed in Canada. The federal government is currently considering regulations that would permit foods and nutritional products to carry claims of health benefits. "Such a step would be consistent with the department's commitment to improve the amount and accessibility of nutritional information," the letter said. Soy Qualifications: Today's FDA decision states that a diet with at least 25-grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce risk of coronary heart disease. For a food to qualify for the health claim, each serving must contain at least 6.25-grams of soy protein and no more than 3-grams of fat. The decision was based on analysis of scientific evidence summarizing 30 years of research and analysis of more than 50 human trials. Soy Menu Simple to Achieve: According to registered dietitian and soy expert Leslie Beck, the daily requirement of soy suggested by the FDA is a realistic and achievable goal. "There are so many ways to incorporate soy protein in the diet," said Beck. "Twenty-five grams of soy protein can be achieved by getting three to four servings of soy protein-rich foods or beverages each day." To achieve 25-grams of soy protein, Beck suggests that a day's menu might include a breakfast of a calcium fortified soy beverage, such as So Good, on whole grain cereal, or a fresh fruit smoothie made with a soy beverage; lunch consisting of low-fat cream soup made with a soy beverage or a sandwich with deli slices made from soy protein; and one-quarter cup of roasted soy nuts for a mid day snack. So Good, which is made from certified non-genetically modified soy, is available in a variety of flavours including Original, Fat-Free, Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry and can be found in the refrigerated section of major grocery stores as well as in the grocery section in a convenient shelf stable format. So Good contains 9-grams of soy protein per serving and is cholesterol-free. Soyaworld Inc. is jointly owned by Dairyworld Foods of Vancouver, one of Canada's leading dairies, and Sunrise Soya Foods, Canada's largest tofu Company. Formed in 1996, Soyaworld is Canada's largest manufacturer and marketer of dairy-free beverages, with production facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia and Brampton and Ottawa, Ontario.
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