WISHH Helps Introduce High-Protein Soy Products to the World
November 3, 2002 -- People in many of the world's fastest growing countries are getting a taste for high-protein U.S. soy products thanks to the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). Since soybean growers helped launched WISHH in 2000, the program has helped find new uses for U.S. soy by leveraging checkoff dollars with the U.S. government's international programs as well as the efforts of multiple non-profit organizations.
WISHH has worked with both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development to approve defatted soy flour, textured soy protein TSP), concentrated soy protein, soy protein isolates and soy milk replacer for use in international programs. As a result, hunger fighting organizations can now request these soy products for use in their overseas efforts. WISHH is also providing technical assistance to aid successful use of the products as well as helping launch commercial food markets in rapidly growing countries such as Egypt.
"Global recognition for U.S. soy protein's value, versatility and health benefits is on the rise," says ASA WISHH Program Director Jim Hershey. "Soy is also an excellent source of protein for countries where other sources of protein are often scarce."
Examples of recent uses of high-protein soy products include:
Soy-fortified wheat flour--In cooperation with WISHH, the North American Millers' Association funded sending two food technologists to Tajikistan in September. The trials showed that soy can add much-needed protein to bread and many other foods that are staples in the diets of millions of people in Central Asia. In Indonesia, WISHH and ASA are working with the International Relief and Development organization to use soy flour to increase the protein content of noodles eaten by school children.
Textured Soy Protein--Florida-based Food For the Poor requested and received 500 metric tons of TSP from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for distribution in Guyana. In the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, Counterpart International started using TSP after learning about it from WISHH. In Angola, Africare is using TSP and soy flour at feeding centers for children.
