Soy protein and health.

New Heart Health Claim for Soy Protein in the UK

The Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI) in the UK has determined that a heart health claim in relation to soy protein is appropriate based on the evidence demonstrating that soy protein can reduce blood cholesterol levels and therefore heart disease risk.

Importantly, the JHCI health claim relates to soy protein that has retained its naturally occurring isoflavones - a marker for the retention of bioactives that are effective at delivering heart health benefits. The decision of the JHCI follows the approval of a similar claim for soy protein in the United States in 1999 and clearly endorses the active role soy protein plays in reducing heart disease risk.

The JHCI claim states:

About the Joint Health Claims Initiative

The UK based Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI) is an independent coalition formed to assess health claims on food. It has representatives from various consumer groups, food law enforcement agencies, and food industry bodies representing manufacturers and retailers.

The JHCI Code of Practice was launched in December 2000, and in the absence of specific EU legislation acts to:

* Define a health claim;

* Outline the legal framework within which a claim can be made;

* Set criteria and general nutrition principles for making a claim;

* Identify the ways in which new and existing claims must be scientifically substantiated;

* Sets out requirements for labelling and consumer information about the health benefits of a product.

The JHCI Code applies to any claim, made in advertising, marketing promotion or product labelling that a food provides a specific health benefit to consumers. Importantly, the Code does not seek to replace food legislation, and does not compete with current UK regulatory systems. An Administration Body has been established to supervise the operation of the Code. More information on the JHCI can be found on their web site www.jhci.org.uk.

Health Claims in Australia -- an up-date

The task of reviewing the benefits of and determining the approach for health claims in Australia continues. In May 2002, the relevant Food Ministers agreed to overarching policy principles for health and related claims in food labelling and advertising.

Ministers took account of the views presented by various stakeholders, which were canvassed through a consultation paper. Ministers have asked the Food Regulation Standing Committee for further advice on the implementation of a risk management approach that will:

* Protect public health and safety through scientific substantiation of high risk claims;

* Consider generic health claims for ease of use where evidence is clear;

* Integrate minimal regulation where there are no risks to public health.

Included in this will be investigation into the creation of a 'watchdog' to monitor the use of health and related claims.

Policy Principles for Nutrition, Health and Related Claims

The proposed policy principles agreed at the May Ministers meeting include:

1 Give priority to protecting and improving the health of the population;

2 Enable the responsible use of scientifically valid nutrient, health and related claims;

3 Support government, community and industry initiatives that promote healthy food choices by the population;

4 Be consistent with and complement Australian and New Zealand national policies and legislation including those relating to nutrition and health promotion, fair trading, industry growth and international trade and innovation;

5 Be cost effective overall, not more trade restrictive than necessary and comply with Australia's and New Zealand's obligations under the WTO Agreements;

6 Contain a process of substantiation which aligns levels of scientific evidence with the level of claims along the theoretical continuum of claims, and at minimum costs to the community;

7 Draw on the best elements of international regulatory systems for nutrient, health and related claims and be responsive to future trends and developments;

8 Provides for collaborative action among enforcement agencies, industry and consumers to optimise educational resources; and allows for effective monitoring and appropriate enforcement.

The following features of any regulatory system for health, nutrition and related claims are also considered desirable. The system should:

9 Favour pre-market approval rather than post-market reaction;

10 Enable better engagement of sectors other than government in providing nutritional advice and information;

11 Promote a partnership between consumers, governments and industry in the delivery and responsible use of nutrition, health and related claims which protects consumers from false and misleading information that may result in distorted diets which harm health and increase health inequalities; and

12 Allow for all transition issues to be clearly identified and steps taken to justify and to minimise costs of change and transition.

The next meeting of Ministers where health and related claims is currently scheduled for discussion is April 2003.

Soy Protein & Health Research Update Seminar

Over 250 health professionals attended this evening seminar held in Sydney on August 14th. Keynote speaker was Dr David Jenkins, renowned researcher from the University of Toronto who presented his latest research 'The Portfolio Diet -- A New Approach to Cholesterol Lowering'. The diet, which combines soy protein- containing foods, plant sterols, nuts and viscous fibres (such as oatbran) was shown in his study to reduce cholesterol levels at a rate similar to that of statin drugs (1). Dr Jenkins also appeared on the 'Sunrise' news and current affairs program -- with a tremendous response from consumers -- over 1400 calls were received, with requests for more information on the diet.

Also speaking at the seminar, Dr Susan Potter from DuPont Protein Technologies reviewed the research to date on soy protein for performance nutrition, including its protein quality (2), amino acid composition, and antioxidant effects for improved recovery (3).

3rd Asian Congress of Dietetics -- Malaysia

The 3rd Asian congress of Dietetics, hosted by the Nutrition Society of Malaysia/Malaysian Dietitians Association, was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur from August 21-24th with over 450 dietitians from across Asia Pacific attending. Several speakers from Australia were featured, including Dr Sandra Capra and Dr Caryl Nowson.

DuPont Protein Technologies (DPT) was a major sponsor of the Congress, featuring Solae[TM] brand soy protein at their exhibition booth. Dr Susan Potter, Global Director of Health & Nutrition at DPT, and renowned researcher, gave a presentation on the cardiovascular benefits of soy protein. Ms Trish Guy from Sanitarium Australia presented on the performance nutrition benefits of soy protein.

Dietitians were interested in receiving more information on the health benefits of soy protein, and wanted to encourage food manufacturers to provide a wider range of soy protein-containing foods and beverages throughout Asia.

Soy Protein for Athletes Fact Sheet

Sports Dietitians Australia recently published a comprehensive fact sheet on the role of soy protein in sports performance. Released in August 2002, the fact sheet outlines the potential role of anti oxidants like those found in soy in reducing the effects of oxidative stress and increasing post exercise immune function.

Copies of the fact sheet can be obtained by visiting the Sports Dietitians Australia web site www.sportsdietitians.com

References:

(1.) Cyril WC Kendall, David JA Jenkins, Dorothea Faulkner, Augustine Marchie, Karen G Lapsley, Elke A Trautwein. The Portfolio Diet: A Dietary Combination Approach to Cholesterol Reduction. Combined Effects of Plant Sterols, Vegetable Proteins and Viscous Fibers in Hypercholesterolemia. Submitted for publication.

(2.) Henley EC, Kuster, JM. Protein quality evaluation by protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scoring. Food Technology. 1994;48:74-77.

(3.) Rossi A, DiSilvestro RA, Blostein-Fujii A. Effects of soy consumption on exercise-induced acute muscle damage and oxidative stress in young adult males, Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional & Medical Foods, Vol. 3, 2000.