St. Louis, Missouri
October 26, 2005
As soy food market expands, new product
line will help accelerate category growth
Monsanto Company and
The Solae Company today
announced an agreement to develop and market a new line of soy
proteins with improved flavor and solubility. This collaboration
combines each company's unique strengths to bring such a
technology to market.
"Soy-based products are one of
the fastest-growing food industry segments," said Paul Graham,
vice president of new business development for The Solae
Company. "This agreement will allow us to offer the best
tasting, most soluble soy protein on the market, further
reinforcing our commitment to drive innovation in food
formulation and taste. It is one of several technologies we're
using to best meet our customers' needs."
Using advanced plant breeding
technology, Monsanto is developing a new soybean with higher
levels of beta-conglycinin, designed to improve soy protein
flavor and functionality.
"This new product is expected
to support - and help drive - growing consumer demand for
healthier foods," said Jerry Steiner, executive vice president
of Monsanto. "It also represents one of several significant
products our company is developing to make healthier food more
accessible and attractive to consumers."
Soy protein is already used in
many food products, including energy bars, meal replacements,
soymilk, beverages and meat alternatives. As consumer demand for
healthier food options increases, food manufacturers are
increasingly looking to formulate products with soy protein.
Few foods have been examined
for their nutritional value as thoroughly as soy. Considerable
scientific research has demonstrated that a diet rich in soy
protein may lead to beneficial health effects, including lowered
cholesterol and reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
Additional studies are exploring the protein's role in other
areas of human nutrition, including obesity prevention.
In addition to bolstering the
nutritional value of food products, soy protein offers food
manufacturers a number of functional benefits. In soy-based
beverages, the ingredient improves taste and facilitates a
smoother mouth-feel. In meat products, it contributes to a
firmer texture with improved succulence. High beta-conglycinin
soy is expected to contribute to these benefits.
"We are pleased to be working
with The Solae Company to help food companies create
better-tasting foods and beverages and enable more consumers to
get the benefits of soy protein," Steiner said.
The Solae Company is a
global innovator in the research and application of soy protein.
It serves food and beverage manufacturers, dietary supplement
developers, retailers and consumers in 80 countries worldwide.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company was formed
through an alliance between Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG) and DuPont
(NYSE: DD).
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON)
is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and
agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. |