US approves DuPont's high oleic soy oil trait

DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has reached the final step of the US regulatory process by receiving cultivation approval for ongoing field testing and testing by major oil processors and food companies from the USDA for its Plenish high oleic soy trait.

Full commercialisation of the trait is forecast for 2012, following global regulatory approvals and ongoing field testing.

Plenish contains the highest oleic acid content of any commercial soy product, at more than 75%. This soy trait provides a product with no trans fat, 20% less saturated fat than regular soyoil, and more stabile oil with greater flexibility in food and industrial applications. Field tests have shown yields equivalent to elite commercial products.

The high oleic soy trait will be launched in Pioneer's brand Y Series soy varieties. These high oleic soy will be grown under contract for ongoing field and oil testing in the US and Canada in 2010 and 2011. Regulatory approvals have already been completed in Canada and Mexico.

Regulatory submissions for the trait also have been submitted to key soy importing countries around the world.