FDA proposes health claim labeling for soy proteins

Soy protein is found in and can be added to many food products. The agency concluded that foods containing proteins from soybeans, when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, reduce total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Studies show 25 g of soy protein per day have a cholesterol-lowering effect. FDA requires each serving of a product to contain at least 6.25 g of soy protein to qualify for the health claim. An example of an acceptable health claim would be: "Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of [product name] supplies [amount] grams of soy protein." FDA is accepting written comments on the proposed regulation until January 25, 1999.