September 1, 2011
Monsanto seeks new soy product approval
Monsanto is requesting from the US government approval of a genetically modified soy that will produce oil lower in saturated fat, giving consumers a healthier alternative and increasing demand for growers' crops.
Demand for soyoil has dropped sharply since 2005, when the US Food and Drug Administration began requiring labels to list levels of trans fats.
Monsanto Co. says its new soy, called Vistive Gold, eliminates trans fats, which have been linked to coronary disease and reduces saturated fat.
Iowa soy farmer Jim Andrew says he hopes the new soy will ease fears about biotech crops by providing a direct health benefit.
But the Center for Food Safety says the new soy did not undergo rigorous enough testing, a claim Monsanto rejects.