Food Companies Proceed with Testing the Optimal Omega-3 for Food to Provide Consumers More Healthy Options

The development of Soymega, the world’s first SDA (stearidonic acid) soybean oil, is making it easier for food companies to incorporate more omega-3s into a variety of products.

Jul 19 2010 --- Data show that consumers are not getting adequate amounts of long chain omega-3 fatty acids in their daily diets. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death globally, and long-chain omega-3s have been scientifically shown to play an important role in supporting heart health. The development of Soymega, the world’s first SDA (stearidonic acid) soybean oil, is making it easier for food companies to incorporate more omega-3s into a variety of products. At the Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo Solae gave an update on Soymega.

“Food companies have been evaluating this oil, and we are pleased with the positive feedback we’ve received,” said Al Gallegos, marketing and business development director for omega-3 at Solae. “What we’re providing to food companies is the opportunity to give consumers additional great-tasting product choices with omega-3s for their everyday diets.”

As food companies proceed with testing, Solae also continues to develop new product concepts. Soymega has been shown to work in bakery products, soups, sauces, beverages, snack bars, dressings and yogurts. Recently, the company has developed product concepts using industrial margarines and shortening in a range of baked products.

“Currently, there is a gap between the recommended and actual intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids. Nutritionally efficient sources of dietary long chain omega-3s are limited to seafood and supplements,” said Dr. Ratna Mukherjea, clinical science group lead at Solae. “Despite this, consumer demand for omega-3s is growing as research continues to show that diets rich in omega-3s play an important role in maintaining health, specifically heart health.”

Several authoritative organizations have issued recommendations of 250-500 mg of EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) per day. For example, the American Heart Association recommends that healthy individuals consume two fatty fish meals per week, which is equivalent to about 350 mg of EPA and DHA per day. For consumers to get recommended amounts of long-chain omega-3s without solely depending on marine sources, alternative omega-3 ingredients such as Soymega will be critical. For example, one acre of SDA soybeans provides EPA omega-3 fatty acids equivalent to about 10,000 three-ounce servings of salmon.

“This just makes sense,” said Dr. Eileen Kennedy, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. “The world can use a source of omega-3s that’s not solely dependent on marine sources. The challenge is finding a sustainable plant-based source that provides the good taste and nutritional benefits needed to maintain healthy hearts. SDA soybean oil is uniquely providing these benefits to the food industry.”

Pending completion of the regulatory process, commercialization is anticipated around 2012.

SDA soybean oil is the result of a collaboration project between Solae and Monsanto Company.