What is QUALISOY?
QUALISOY is a one-of-a-kind agricultural initiative designed to bring healthier oils to the marketplace. It was born out of a farmer-led effort to unite the industry with the purpose of identifying and developing superior soybean traits. This collaborative effort involves virtually every link in the food production chain, from seed breeders to food manufacturers.

Health professionals have also played a critical role in helping to identify and better define the QUALISOY objectives. Although partially hydrogenated oils were originally introduced as a healthier alternative to more saturated oils, recent research suggests that the trans fats produced during the hydrogenation process might behave similarly to saturated fats in the body. Researchers, nutritionists, dietitians and other health professionals started advising consumers to limit their intake of trans fats and they began challenging food manufacturers to develop healthier products.

That communication helped drive the QUALISOY initiative and prompted seed breeders and life science companies to share existing traits that will ultimately lead to the reduction or elimination of trans fats in soybean oil, found in many popular food products. It also helped raise awareness about types of fat among the general public. According to the 2004 United Soybean Board's Consumer Attitudes About Nutritionsurvey, 91 percent of respondents ranked trans fats as somewhat to very unhealthy, up from 81 percent in 2003 and 77 percent in 2002. Ninety-three percent consider saturated fat to be somewhat or very unhealthy, which has been consistent over the past several years.

© 2008 QUALISOY