Better ingredients for better living

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Soya protein is growing in popularity as a healthy and tasty ingredient in a wide range of foods.

Solae Europe SA

Today’s health-minded consumers are well aware that soya protein is of equivalent quality to meat, milk and egg protein and its production requires substantially less natural resources. The demand for products that combine the benefits of soya protein with great taste and convenience is rapidly increasing.

Many clinical studies and scientific research have confirmed the potential role of soya protein in heart health, cholesterol reduction, weight management, bone health, menopause symptom relief, cancer prevention, performance nutrition, and other areas of health. In October 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement claiming: ‘25 grams of soya protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.’ The Solae Company played an active and critical role in the research leading to this conclusion. A similar claim was later acknowledged by the Joint Health Claim Initiative (JHCI) in the UK.

FDA petition

In April 2004, The Solae Company petitioned a further health claim to the US Food and Drug Administration, where scientific evidence indicates that the consumption of soya protein-based foods may help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Highlighting the health benefits of soya has led to an increased consumer interest in great-tasting soya products. Soya protein markets have seen double-digit growth year-on-year, and are projected to continue doing so. Products containing Solae ä brand protein have been launched across several European countries to fulfil consumers’ increasing demand for great-tasting, convenient and ‘good-for-you’ products, including soya-containing juices, various varieties of soya milk alternatives, yoghurts, meat and meat-free products and foodbars.

With the launch of its Solae co-branding programme, the company is taking its message directly to end consumers with the aim of making the phrase ‘Solae inside’ as much of a selling point for foods as ‘Intel inside’ has become for computers. The company wants to convince people not only to look for the Solae label on foods, but also to think of it as meaning both great taste and a healthy source of nutrition.

What about taste?

In the words of Solae’s Marketing Director for Europe, Hubertus Devroye, ‘Taste is king and convenience is queen. Consumers buy more than $3bn worth of soya products per year. Until recently, soya products were found primarily in health food stores, health food sections of supermarkets or places frequented by vegetarians or people with health conditions that force them to shy away from milk or meat. Nowadays soya products are shifting towards mainstream consumers, who connect food choices not just with health but with lifestyle, fun and taste.’

Profile

The Solae Company, an alliance between two global leaders; Dupont, known worldwide for innovative research and technology and Bunge Limited, the leading oilseed processor in North, South and Central America, was formed in April 2003.

The Solae Company is a leading researcher, manufacturer and marketer of high quality soya ingredients, including soya protein isolates and concentrates, textured vegetable proteins, specialty lecithins, and isoflavone concentrates; and serves over 3000 customers by offering more than 1000 different products, including many brands that are widely recognised in the food industry.

With many years of experience in product development and market research, The Solae Company offers in-depth, sophisticated insight into what consumers want and how to get to them.

The Solae Company’s global headquarters are located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The European headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Further information

Solae Europe SA
Tel: +41 22 7176415
Fax: +41 22 7176401
Email: hdevroye@solae.com
Website: www.solae.com

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