ADM to process Monsanto's VISTIVE Low Linolenic Soybeans

13/01/06 Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) have announced that ADM will process Monsanto's VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans in 2006 at its facility in Frankfort, Indiana, and will market the low-linolenic soybean oil for use by the food industry. VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans will reduce the need for partial hydrogenation of soybean oil, helping food companies reduce the presence of trans fatty acids (trans fats) in their products.

For the 2006 growing season, ADM will be contracting with growers in Indiana for up to 40,000 acres of VISTIVE soybean production. ADM will pay a premium to producers who grow VISTIVE soybeans under contract. Then it will crush and sell the processed soybean oil to food companies.

VISTIVE soybeans, developed through conventional breeding, contain less than three percent linolenic acid as compared to the typical eight percent level found in traditional soybeans.  The result is a more stable soybean oil, with less need for hydrogenation. Because soybeans with a lower linolenic acid level reduce the need for partial hydrogenation, their application in processed soybean oils will reduce the presence of trans fats in processed soybean oil.

The development of VISTIVE is significant because, as of January 1, 2006, all food products and dietary supplements bearing a nutritional facts panel that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and sold in the United States are required to list trans fat content.  Kellogg Company, for instance, recently announced that it will use oil from VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans as part of a major initiative to reduce or eliminate trans fats in a number of its products.

NovaLipid products are ADM's line of zero/low trans fat shortenings, margarines and oils.  The NovaLipid portfolio includes naturally stable oils, tropical fats and oils, blended oils, and enzyme interesterified shortenings and margarines to provide alternatives in various food applications, including baking, confectionery, snack, frying and cereal products.  The line was developed in 2003 in response to customer and consumer demand for healthier fats and oils.

Monsanto expects that VISTIVE soybeans will be grown on nearly 500,000 acres in 2006.  VISTIVE soybeans have the Roundup Ready trait and maintain performance parity with other commercial soybean varieties.