The critical factor driving this program is the demand for protein in human diets and the projected many-fold increase in this demand over the next two decades. Soybeans are uniquely positioned to fill this demand. In addition to nutritional value of soy protein, prices and availability in easy-to-consume form are important factors that could drive the demand for soy protein. Due to their versatility, soybeans can be used in many ways: milk, flour, grits, concentrates, isolates, etc. This allows a very large variety of food products to be enhanced using soy. Fortification of staple diets of people with soy protein could potentially create large demand without causing any concerns about taste and physical properties of the food product.

Incorporating soy protein in the human diet should not affect the demand for animal protein. A large part of the increased demand will be among segments of society that do not consume meat, primarily due to economic and cultural reasons. Most soy-fortified foods do not compete with meat products, for example soy-fortified tortilla (in Mexico) or soy fortified wheat flour (in India). It is likely that only when people modify diets for health reasons could there be a substitution between animal protein and soy protein. But in these cases, the substitution is inevitable and the availability of soy-fortified food products will serve a new market segment.

Overview

Product Alternatives

Nutritional Benefits

Soy Allergies