Health claim secured for soy protein in Australia and NZ
IFF has announced that a new heart health claim for isolated soy protein has been accepted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The approval is said to enable food and beverage manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand to link soy protein consumption with healthy blood cholesterol levels.
“For decades, IFF has invested in the science behind soy protein and its role in supporting cardiovascular health,” said Tony Andrew, vice president of protein solutions for IFF Food Ingredients. “This approved claim validates years of rigorous research and collaboration.”
The claim is supported by a multi-year, cross-continental research collaboration backed by IFF, the Soy Nutrition Institute Global and the U.S. Soybean Export Council, involving researchers from Australia and the University of Toronto. Under the new permission, foods formulated to help consumers achieve a daily intake of 20–25 grams of isolated soy protein, consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, may carry the heart health claim.
Isolated soy protein is a 90% plant-based protein containing all nine essential amino acids. It is suitable for a wide range of applications including beverages, dairy alternatives, nutrition bars, snacks and plant-based foods.
“The clinical evidence supports a causal relationship between isolated soy protein consumption and improved blood lipids,” said Dr Alan Barclay, PhD, lead author of the FSANZ submission. “With dyslipidemia affecting around 60% of Australian adults1 and many New Zealanders, daily consumption of soy protein offers a practical food-based nutrition strategy to help manage cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.”
Australia and New Zealand join 11 other countries, including the United States, Canada and Japan, that recognise the link between soy protein consumption and heart health.
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