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Meeting Consumer Needs for Soy Worldwide

Soybeans have long been referred to as the "miracle crop" because of their versatility. Uses range from animal feed to alternative fuels to printing inks to human food.

Soybean growers are similarly resourceful. Illinois soybean farmers join together with growers from other states to continually look for new ways soybeans can be used worldwide.

One area of particular interest is nutrition. Soybean growers invest their time and resources through the checkoff to increase the use of soy in diets and nutrition programs here and abroad. For example, Illinois growers have been instrumental in securing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soyfoods health claim and in getting soyfoods into grocery stores, restaurants, school cafeterias and developing countries.

Since 1999, FDA has officially recognized that incorporating soy protein into the daily diet helps fight coronary heart disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. The FDA authorized the use of the soyfoods health claim on food packages meeting specific guidelines for soy protein.

The health claim helped spark U.S. consumer interest in soy. Today, shoppers find soy products in mainstream grocery stores, including soy-based burgers and dogs, breakfast patties and links, along with tofu, soymilk, soy flour, soy protein bars, soy cheese and texturized soy protein. Health food stores often offer an even larger selection of soyfoods. A more complete list of soyfood products is found at www.soyfoods.com.

At the same time, Illinois soybean growers have sought to improve the level of nutrition in developing countries. Since 2000, the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) has promoted U.S. soy protein exports to developing countries. ISA was one of WISHH's founding organizations.

WISHH works with private voluntary organizations and commercial companies in more than 20 different countries in Africa, Asia and Central America, training people how to use soy for economic and nutritional advantages. Through the use of high-protein soy, WISHH is able to help improve diets and health, encourage local food industry growth and stimulate demand for soy in both public and private sectors around the world.

MyPlate

On June 2, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new food icon, MyPlate, that provides guidelines for healthier eating by showing consumers what their plates should look like. The MyPlate program also features an interactive website - www.ChooseMyPlate.gov -  with details on the food groups, related topics and tips and resources.

Soyfoods are represented in three of the MyPlate food groups. Calcium-fortified soymilk is listed within the dairy group, and soybeans are included under the vegetable group. The protein group, which was formerly known as the meat group, lists processed soy products among vegetarian alterantives. Soy oil is mentioned within the section on oils, and many of the site's nutrition tips refer to soyfoods.

The USDA based the MyPlate plan on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provides authoritative advice on healthier eating for better living.

Soyfoods Recipes

Soyfood recipes are becoming more and more popular and diverse. Download recipe cards for Dipped Berry Biscotti (with your Morning Soy Latte!), Soy Good Orange Spiced Sweet Rolls and Soyummy Stromboli to try some tasty soy-based treats today! Use these resources to find additional soy recipes that meet your taste and budget.

NSRL

The National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) works closely with ISA on programs involving production and consumption of soybeans.

Soy Information Clearinghouse

The United Soybean Board's Soy Information Clearinghouse (SIC) publishes and distributes a Soyfoods Guide, which is also available on the SIC's website at www.soyinformation.org. In addition to the Guide, the site also provides helpful articles on soyfoods, soy's role in health and many other informative pieces.

For more information on soyfoods, check out our current press releases and audiocasts.