01 Aug 2017 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bunge North America’s petition for a qualified health claim linking soybean oil consumption to reduced risk of heart disease. Soybean oil is the US’ most commonly used ingredient and top dietary source of polyunsaturated fats.

Bunge reports that it independently filed a petition with the FDA that included a summary of recent major clinical studies showing the potential benefits of soybean oil to heart health based on its demonstrated positive effect on cholesterol levels and its high concentration of polyunsaturated omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids versus other oils and fats.

Companies can now communicate that soybean oil may reduce heart disease risk and lower LDL-cholesterol when replacing saturated fat and not increasing calories.

“Bunge is committed to enhancing the value of America’s most accessible food oil,” says Dr. Mark Stavro, Senior Director of Marketing, Bunge North America. “The FDA’s decision provides opportunities for food companies to develop more heart healthy products, for consumers looking to improve their heart health and for soybean farmers who thrive when demand for their crop increases.”

The US is the world’s leading soybean producer, accounting for 33 percent of global production. Bunge is a leading soybean oil producer globally and works closely with soybean farmers in the US and other regions to turn their harvests into oils that are foundational part of many people’s diet.

“We take great pride in the trusted relationships we have with our farmer-customers and work hard to develop new markets for their crops,” says Timothy Gallagher, Executive Vice President, oilseed value chain, Bunge North America. “By promoting soybean oil’s heart health benefits, we are helping to drive demand for a high quality product that can benefit the full soybean value chain.”