Complete Story
11/30/2007
OSA Opposes Statewide Ban of Trans Fats
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jamie Butts
Ohio Soybean Association
Communications Director
(614) 476-3100
Nov. 28, 2007
Ohio Soybean Association opposes statewide ban of trans fats
COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio Soybean Association today announced that it does not support calls for an outright ban on trans fats in Ohio, instead suggesting the strategic, gradual elimination of trans fats through a voluntary, case-by-case approach.
The U.S. and Ohio soybean industries are promoting the use of low-linolenic soybean varieties by Ohio farmers. When processed, the low-linolenic varieties produce trans fat-free soybean oil.
"While the acres for low-linolenic soybeans continue to increase for both the U.S. and Ohio, an all-out ban on trans fats would have a negative economic impact on Ohio's $1 billion soybean industry," said John Lumpe, executive director of the Ohio Soybean Association. "That's because the supply for low-linolenic oil could not meet the demand to supply all restaurants and food service agencies that would be affected by a mandatory elimination of trans fats."
The U.S. soybean industry became actively involved in the trans fats issue when the Food and Drug Administration required the labeling of trans fats on all nutrition labels, ultimately creating a demand from food industries to find an alternative to trans fat-free cooking oils. Soybean oil, which includes most brands sold as vegetable oil, accounts for almost 80 percent of all edible oil in the U.S., and the goal of the U.S. and Ohio soybean industries is to keep soybean oil at the top of the list.
Trans fats are created when oils go through a hydrogenation process, which increases the stability and shelf life of various food products. Currently, almost all soybean oil is hydrogenated, but low-linolenic soybeans on average produce less than 3 percent linolenic acid as an oil component, compared with 8 percent for conventional soybeans, therefore eliminating the need for hydrogenation.
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Trans fats
Nov. 28, 2007
"We must educate farmers of the potential economic benefits of growing low-linolenic soybeans to meet the rapidly increasing demand, and give them the resources to successfully plant and harvest this new variety," Lumpe said.
In 2007, there were an estimated 250,000 acres of low-linolenic soybeans planted in Ohio. This amount of acreage is likely to double in 2008. There are currently four processing facilities of low-linolenic soybeans in Ohio, and there will be more than 30 local and regional low-linolenic seed brands available in 2008.
Nationally, low-linolenic soybeans are entering their fourth year of commercialization and the number of acres planted continue to grow each year. In 2007, there were 1.9 million acres planted, and it is estimated that there will be 3.5 million acres planted in 2008.
Ohio Soybean Facts
Soybeans are Ohio's number one cash crop, and the state currently ranks sixth in the U.S. for soybean production
Soybeans contribute over $1 billion to Ohio's economy each year.
There are approximately 4.6 million acres of soybeans planted in Ohio each year.
About the Ohio Soybean Association
The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a 24-member volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.
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