A recent soybean checkoff-funded study shows that four out
of five consumers consider soybean products to be healthy,
and more than half agree that consuming soy products can
play a role in reducing obesity. To maintain that consumer
confidence, however, the trans-fat issue must be resolved.
That’s why the soybean checkoff has been
working with industry partners to develop and promote
low-linolenic (low-lin) soybeans. Low-linolenic soybean oil
doesn’t require hydrogenation – the process that creates
trans fats – so the use of these soybean varieties reduces
or eliminates trans fats in food products.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration required food companies to begin labeling
trans fats in their products. Since that time, food
companies have made it a priority to avoid trans fats.
Kellogg’s has already stated it would use low-lin soybeans
to help reduce or remove trans fats from its foods. The
soybean checkoff is committed to helping make sure other
food companies have that option as well.
“This past year, seed was available to
produce up to 450 million pounds of low-lin oil,” says Chuck
Myers, United Soybean Board
(USB) director and a soybean farmer from Lyons, Neb. “That
accounts for nearly 950,000 acres of soybeans. The
availability continues to increase, but it is up to farmers
to ensure that this preferred product has enough supply to
meet consumer demand.”
Late this year, approximately 400 million
pounds of low-linolenic oil could be available to the food
industry. By 2007, more than 2.5 million acres of soybeans
could be planted to low-lin soybeans. This growth will be
driven by increased demand from the food industry as more
food manufacturers seek out trans-fat solutions.
“In some cases, farmers could receive an
additional $0.40 per bushel or higher,” says Jim Legvold,
USB director and soybean farmer from Vincent, Iowa. “The
checkoff and plant breeders must continue to balance the
demand by consumers with profitability of the soybean
farmer. It is one thing to develop a product with specialty
traits, but it is another to develop a product that can be
grown profitably by soybean farmers.”
The importance of low-lin soybeans to the
future of food was the focus of an event at the Farm
Progress show that also included other issues dealing with
soyfoods. Representatives from USB, the Iowa Soybean
Association and the Soyfoods Council discussed the latest in
human consumption of soy. Following presentations, attendees
were treated to a soyfoods sampling that included tofu
dessert bars, tortillas with soy protein, and soy sour
cream. These are just a few examples of healthy and
delicious foods made from soy.
“The soybean checkoff has invested in
low-linolenic and related traits since 2000,” says Myers.
“Now it is up to the entire soybean industry to do
everything we can to maintain the positive image of soy.”
USB is made up of 64 farmer-directors who
oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of
all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the
areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial
utilization, industry relations, market access and supply.
As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and
Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing
Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the
soybean checkoff.