Health Professionals

Trait-Enhanced Soybean Oil

The Basics

What is it?
Simply put, it is the use of biotech traits to create soybeans that yield healthier, more useful oils. The food industry, for example, uses high-oleic soybean oil to create products that have less trans fat – something the American consumer is increasingly demanding.

Who wants it?
In today's world of menu and label watching, just about every American is looking for ways to eat healthier. At the same time, these health-conscious individuals have little to no interest in sacrificing on flavor. Trait-enhanced soybean oils strive to give your customers the best of both worlds.

Why is it important?
Liquid soybean oil is among the healthiest of all edible oils. It is low in saturated fat, high in polyunsaturated fat and contains monounsaturated fat. In addition, liquid soybean oil is one of the few non-fish sources of omega-3s, contains heart-healthy omega-6 fatty acids and is the principal source of commercial vitamin E.

Through several coordinated initiatives, the soy industry has collaborated to address the trans-fat issue and offer soy-based solutions to the marketplace. Trans fats are increasingly being eliminated from manufactured food products. Low-linolenic soybean oil is already helping consumers cut trans fat out of their diets. And as food companies make the switch to high-oleic soybean oil and increased omega-3 soybean oil, we will all see even more health benefits in the food we eat.