Earth’s Own Food Company Inc., together with Canada’s soy producers, welcomed Health Canada’s approval of a health claim linking the consumption of protein-rich soy food to lowering cholesterol levels. Earth’s Own, a pioneer of the dairy alternative category in Canada, is the maker of So Good brand of fortified soy beverages, and So Nice organic dairy alternatives including organic soy beverages. Recommended inCanada’s Food Guide, fortified soy beverages are considered the most complete dairy alternative and the only one recognized by Health Canada as a suitable alternative to dairy milk due to its nutritional benefits.
This week’s news comes after an extensive review process by Health Canada, who made the decision based on scientific evidence that shows consumption of at least 25 grams of soy protein per day helps to reduce cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Health Canada has determined that foods and ingredients eligible for the claim include soy beverages, tofu, miso, tempeh, natto, soy cheeses, soy nuts, isolated soy protein, soy protein concentrate, textured soy protein and soy flour.
“At Earth’s Own, we are dedicated to health and wellbeing, so it is particularly gratifying to see Health Canada acknowledge the health benefits that our soy beverages offer people as they pursue their goals for a healthier lifestyle,” said Diane Jang, General Manager of Dairy Alternatives, Earth’s Own Food Company. “As Canada’s leading soy brand, we are thrilled to have official confirmation of what nutrition experts and international health regulatory bodies have told us for some time. In addition to containing as much calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 as a cup of milk, and being rich in complete plant-based protein, fortified soy beverages like So Good and So Nice Organic are a great fit for Canadians’ heart-healthy diets.”
So Good soy beverages are fortified with 14 essential nutrients. A cup of So Good contains as much calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 as a cup of milk, and offers up to seven grams of complete plant-based protein. One 250mL cup of So Good fortified soy beverage supplies 30 per cent of the daily amount of soy protein shown to help lower cholesterol. So Good is also low in saturated fat and contains no lactose, gluten, trans-fat or cholesterol. So Nice is the Canadian premium organic brand that is made with the best natural and organic ingredients offering an organic choice to those seeking healthy, organic dairy beverage alternatives.
“As dietitians, we have been telling our clients for years that 25 grams of soy protein per day can help lower LDL cholesterol. Now, they can finally see it on the food label,” said registered Dietitian Diana Steele, who is part of the Earth’s Own Nutrition Advisory Panel. “As more consumers are drawn to the non-dairy beverage section, soy-based products like So Good uniquely provide the most complete nutrition for busy families seeking an active, healthy lifestyle.”
Introducing protein rich soy foods as part of a healthy diet can be particularly helpful for Canadians aged 45-64 years old for whom heart health concerns are often top of mind. According to a recent Statistics Canada’s Health Fact Sheet (February, 2013), 39 per cent of Canadians aged six to 79 years have unhealthy levels of total cholesterol. Earth’s Own encourages Canadians to add soy products like So Good to their diets for a complete source of protein, and to have a beneficial impact in terms of cholesterol reduction. Heart health soy food claims have been previously approved by respective health authorities in the U.S., Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea.
