Checkoff Promotes Health Benefits of Soy During Soyfoods Month

Posted: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 8:01 pm

ST. LOUIS (April 7, 2011) – Soy for human consumption remains an important market for U.S. soybean farmers to reach consumers who desire healthier eating habits. To help spread the word that soy offers health benefits, the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff will be taking part in various activities during national soyfoods month throughout April.
    Through its domestic marketing program, the checkoff will work with the Soyfoods Association of North America to sponsor outreach activities to engage grocery retailers. The resources that retailers can request offer guidance on how to host soyfoods tastings and provide in-store displays that announce soyfoods month.
    “With the health benefits of fitting soy into our diets, it is important for USB to promote and support efforts to reach the consumer,” says Laura Foell, a soybean farmer from Schaller, Iowa, and vice chair of the USB domestic marketing program. “The retailer needs fact-based information in order to realize how soy fits into a healthy lifestyle. By helping the retailer move product, we are moving soybeans as well.”
    The checkoff’s Soyfoods Guide (http://www.soybean.org/sfg.pdf) will also be available this month to help consumers add soy to their diet and provide other tips for healthy eating. A little more than a decade ago, soybean checkoff-funded research helped confirm the link between soy consumption and the reduced risk of heart disease. In addition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approved heart-healthy claim for soy, which states that 25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines included soyfood and soy oils as healthful choices.
    Not only does the checkoff support outreach about soyfoods, but also research on soyfoods and the potential benefits in these foods that could add more value to U.S. soy. Through support of industry coalitions such as QUALISOY, USB also encourages the development of new U.S. soybean varieties that would produce healthier or value-added soy oils for human use.
    “USB works in partnership with other groups to do additional research on the benefits of using soy in diets as they relate to heart health; breast cancer research; and men’s, women’s and children’s health,” adds Foell. “This research is based on sound science and is peer reviewed to make sure that the information cited will be accurate.”
    USB is made up of 69 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.

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Posrted 4.13.11