Low trans-fat soybean

[Guest guest]

Monsanto strikes again! This post just came in from my county extension

agent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought transfats were natural fats

that were somehow mechanically altered by heating, etc. This article

implies that transfats occur naturally??

Low trans-fat soybean

Sep 3, 2004 1:14 PM

by Wayne Wenzel

Monsanto announced that it will sell seed for low-linolenic soybean

varieties in time for the 2005 growing season. The new varieties will be

sold by Asgrow under the brand name Vistive. The varieties contain less

than 3% linolenic acid, compared to 8% for traditional soybeans, resulting

in a more stable soybean oil with a better flavor profile, and less need

for hydrogenation. Also known as trans fats, excess linolenic acids are

linked to heart disease because they lower HDL (good) cholesterol while

raising LDL (bad) cholesterol. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's

mandate to include trans fat labeling on food products beginning January

1, 2006, is a major factor driving the demand for low-linolenic soybean oil.

Producers who grow Vistive soybeans will do so under contract with

participating soybean processors. Participating processors will offer

growers a premium for the Vistive soybeans. Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) will

be a participating soybean processor for 2005. Monsanto is finalizing

programs with additional participating processors and plans to announce

details in the next few weeks.

http://farmindustrynews.com/news/Low-trans-fat-soybean/