IFF Secures First Heart Health Claim for Soy Protein in Australia and New Zealand

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has achieved a significant regulatory milestone in the Asia-Pacific region after the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) approved the first heart health claim for isolated soy protein in both Australia and New Zealand. This approval permits food and beverage manufacturers to label products containing 20–25 g of isolated soy protein per day as part of a balanced diet with claims related to supporting healthy blood cholesterol levels, opening up new opportunities for innovation in cardiovascular health-focused nutrition products.

Isolated soy protein — a protein source that is 90 % plant-based and contains all nine essential amino acids — has been the subject of extensive multi-year, cross-continental research supported by IFF, the Soy Nutrition Institute Global and the U.S. Soybean Export Council, with clinical evidence supporting a causal link between its consumption and improved blood lipid profiles. Given that dyslipidemia affects a high proportion of adults in both markets, the approval enables brands to develop a range of functional foods and beverages, including plant-based drinks, nutrition bars, snacks and dairy alternatives, that combine taste, nutrition and health positioning.

Australia and New Zealand now join more than a dozen countries, such as the United States, Canada and Japan, that recognise the connection between soy protein intake and heart health. IFF believes this regulatory recognition not only validates its scientific investment in soy protein but also positions the ingredient as a clinically substantiated, sustainable option for consumers seeking foods that contribute to cardiovascular wellbeing.

Source: IFF