FDA Permits Healthy Soy Labels

The Food and Drug Administration soon will begin allowing health claims on food products containing soy protein.

Starting next Tuesday, soy product labels will be permitted to make statements about the role of soy in reducing heart disease, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA said it decided to permit the statements after concluding that foods containing soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels.

Foods that may be eligible for the claim include soy beverages, tofu, tempeh, soy-based meat alternatives and possibly some baked goods, the FDA said.

In order to qualify for the claim, foods must contain 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving, one-fourth of the 25 grams of soy protein daily that studies have shown is needed to show a significant cholesterol-lowering effect. An ounce is a little more than 25 grams.