Government and Regulatory Affairs is essential for shaping public policies that influence the use and reputation of soyfoods. Built on a foundational knowledge and grounded in evidence, SNI Global gives the soyfoods industry a voice in the regulatory process. Our efforts are a combination of determining how soy fits in, promoting soy, and defending soy in the regulatory and legislative environments. Through SNI Global, the soyfoods industry can speak with a consistent and cohesive message while harnessing the power of the collective. SNI Global keeps watch on key soy-related issues and advances the soy industry platform domestically and internationally.

SNI Global POLICY POSITIONS

Effects of processing on soy foods

Position: The nutritional contribution of a food to overall health should be determined primarily by its nutrient content, not the extent to which it has been processed. Although some soy foods are Nova-classified as ultra-processed foods, the common criticisms of ultra-processed foods do not apply to them.

Resources:

• Fact sheet: Navigating the Nuances of Ultra-Processed Foods
• Webinar: ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS IN THE SHIFT TO PLANT-BASED DIETS: HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE TWO PARADIGMS?’
• Supporting research:
  • Perspective: Soy-Based Meat and Dairy Alternatives, Despite Classification as Ultra-Processed Foods, Deliver High-Quality Nutrition on Par With Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Animal-Based Counterparts
  • Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Can Help Facilitate and Maintain a Lower Animal to Plant Protein Intake Ratio

Inclusion of Soy Foods in Federal Feeding Programs

Position: Soy food and soymilk consumption should be encouraged across all federal feeding programs (Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs).  

Resources:

• Statement: Soy Nutrition Institute Global Applauds FDA’s Decision To Continue Use Of “Soymilk” On Packaging
• Video: How Soymilk is Made
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages
  • SNI Global WIC Comments
• Process to Develop the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  • SNI Global Comments on the development of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines
    • Comment 1
    • Comment 2
    • Comment 3
• Supporting research:
  • The Health Effects of Soy: A Reference Guide for Health Professionals
  • Neither soyfoods nor isoflavones warrant classification as endocrine disruptors: a technical review of the observational and clinical data

lABELING

Food Allergens

Position:

• Support disclosure requirements for the presence of soy protein and other major allergens in soy foods and soy beverages at levels recognized to elicit a reaction in individuals diagnosed with a soy protein allergy. 
• Promote education to inform those allergic to soy that they can safely consume highly refined soybean oil commonly found in the food supply as vegetable oil and to inform the public that the prevalence of soy protein allergy is low relative to most other major allergens.

Resources:

• Supporting research:
  • Recent surveys on food allergy prevalence
  • In progress: Food Allergy and Research Education’s Start Eating Early Diet (SEED) Study
• Soy Allergy Prevalence – What Does the Current Research Say?
• SNI Global Comments on Evaluating the Public Health Importance of Food Allergens Other Than the Major Food Allergens Listed in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Soy Protein Health Claim

Position: FDA should authorize the ongoing use of the unqualified health claim for the relationship between soy protein and coronary heart disease.

Resources:

• A Meta-Analysis of 46 Studies Identified by the FDA Demonstrates that Soy Protein Decreases Circulating LDL and Total Cholesterol Concentrations in Adults
• Cumulative Meta-Analysis of the Soy Effect Over Time
• Webinar Recording: Soy Protein Health Claim And Why It Should Be Here To Stay
• Soy and Heart Health
  

Healthy Nutrient Content Claim

Positions:

FDA should amend its proposed rule to allow for the inclusion of nutritious soy-based food products, such as soymilk, that may not meet the proposed nutrients to limit or criteria for food groups to encourage.

Resources:

• SNI Global Comment on the Healthy Proposed Rule

Plant-based Food Labeling

Position:

Soy protein products intended to be substitutes for milk and meat should be allowed to use “milk” and “meat” terms.

Resources:

• Statement: Soy Nutrition Institute Global Applauds FDA’s Decision to Continue Use of “Soymilk” on Packaging
• SNI Global Comments on the Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements; Draft Guidance for Industry.

United Soybean Board checkoff funding is not used to influence government action and policy.