DuPont Achieves Regulatory Milestone for High Oleic Soybean Oil Trait

The high oleic soybean oil trait is the next generation of healthy oil traits developed by DuPont, through its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., as part of a partnership with Bunge.

03/01/07 DuPont says it has met an important milestone toward the commercialization of its proprietary high oleic soybean oil trait today by completing its U.S. regulatory submissions for approval of the trait. This keeps the Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance on track for commercialization of products containing the trait by 2009.

The high oleic soybean oil trait is the next generation of healthy oil traits developed by DuPont, through its subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., as part of a partnership with Bunge. This trait will provide valuable benefits to food processors and industrial customers beyond those available today through TREUS Low Linolenic Soybean Oil and other low linolenic soybean oils on the market. Like low linolenic soybean oil, high oleic soybean oil eliminates the need for hydrogenation, resulting in foods with negligible amounts of trans fats.

"This is a significant step for DuPont and for food companies looking for further improved oils," said Dean Oestreich, Pioneer president. "These regulatory submissions keep us on track for commercialization of products beginning in 2009 and allow us to build on the success we’ve had developing products to meet consumer demand for healthier foods."

Dick Goodman, senior vice president and general manager, Bunge Oils, said, "This important milestone reflects the Bunge DuPont Biotech Alliance commitment to continually research and develop innovative oils for our food customers. With high oleic soybeans, we can build on the success of our low linolenic soybean program to ensure we provide customers a wide range of trans fat alternatives." DuPont submitted regulatory information on the high oleic oil trait to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

High oleic soybean oil will offer more stability than mid oleic soybean oil being developed by other companies. High oleic soybean oil will provide food companies with improved frying performance while reducing or eliminating trans fatty acids in their products.

Its high stability in industrial and transportation settings will also offer functional characteristics that allow companies to develop renewable, environmentally sustainable options to petroleum-based products.

"We are very excited to bring products to market that will help meet the growing demand for healthy oils and provide valuable contracting opportunities for farmers," said Oestreich. "High oleic soybeans will be the next product commercialized from our pipeline full of soybean oil traits."

The high oleic soybean oil produced from Pioneer brand soybean varieties will be marketed as TREUS High Oleic Soybean Oil. The TREUS brand name represents the industry-leading family of soy products developed as part of the alliance between DuPont and Bunge that deliver enhanced nutrition, sustainability and functionality.

DuPont also announced earlier this fall the completion of its U.S. regulatory submissions for approval of the Optimum GAT trait in soybeans.