Soybean Oils Provide Food Companies New Options for Heart-Healthy Foods

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Soybean Oils Provide Food Companies New Options for Heart-Healthy Foods

Eating for a healthy heart. We all know we should do it, but let’s face it – that piece of grilled salmon or the oatmeal just doesn’t look as enticing as the fried chicken or the danish. Well, at least for some of us.

But doctors and health professionals keep telling Americans we need to do something about our heart health. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's No. 1 killer. In an effort to raise awareness of these diseases, Congress has declared February “American Heart Month.”

As consumers seek healthier diets, one approach to helping them do so is to improve the nutritional value of the foods they already enjoy and eat regularly. Healthier oils and ingredients help food companies achieve this, and Monsanto is doing our part to contribute to this effort.

Agriculture has a history of making dramatic productivity improvements for the farmer. Today, at Monsanto, we’re not only working on products that will benefit farmers, but also products that will provide consumers improved health and wellness – by consuming foods they already eat.

Here’s a high-level look at our food platform traits, their uses and benefits.

Monsanto Food Platform Traits, Uses and Benefits

Product	Key Uses	Key Benefits	Availability
Vistive low-linolenic soybeans and oilseed rape	Fry oil Spray coating for snacks and crackers	Longer fry life than conventional soybean oil No need for hydrogenation, thereby reducing or eliminating trans fats	Currently available through processing partners
Vistive high-stearate soybeans	Shortenings Margarines Baked goods Cookies Pastries	Solid fat replacement for palm oil and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil Reduced trans and cholesterol-raising saturated fats	Currently in Phase I of the R&D Pipeline
Vistive Gold	High stability frying Spray coating for snacks and crackers	Stability similar to high-oleic canola and sunflower oils Reduced trans and saturated fats Improved flavor and texture	Commercial launch anticipated in 2-4 years (Phase IV).
Stearidonic acid (SDA) omega-3 soybeans	Broad application including: beverages, dairy products, oil-based foods, snack foods and baked goods	Higher conversion to EPA in the body vs. ALA Bland flavor and longer shelf life allows for use in wide-range of products Enables healthy omega-3s in more types of food versus fish or algal oils Sustainable, crop-based source of heart-healthy omega-3’s	Commercial launch anticipated in 2-4 years (Phase IV).

We are applying innovation and technology to create better foods for consumers by developing seeds that improve nutrition and taste. This is a long-term commitment that began with the commercialization of Vistive® low-linolenic soybeans in 2005, and we are continuing to build on that promise.

In addition to work with soybean oils, we are also working with fruits and vegetables to provide consumers with varieties that offer enhanced flavor, sensory appeal, convenience and health and wellness benefits.

As the population expands and consumer demands for healthier foods grow, these products and technologies offer farmers an opportunity to help meet this growing demand.