WILMINGTON, Del., - DuPont today announced it has reached a regulatory milestone for its next generation of healthier soybean products. DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred received confirmation from Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that its high oleic soybean trait has been approved for cultivation and food and feed use in Canada.

“This is a significant milestone in our effort to bring the high oleic soybean trait to market,” said Paul E. Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president and general manager. “We’re seeing strong results in field testing of soybeans with the high oleic trait and strong interest from food companies looking for a new oil product with improved nutritional qualities and performance characteristics.”

The high oleic soybean trait from Pioneer is more than three times higher in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and has a more than 20 percent reduction in saturated fat over commodity soybean oil. Like low linolenic soybean oil, high oleic soybean oil eliminates the need for hydrogenation, resulting in foods with negligible amounts of trans fats.

Oil testing results from high oleic soybeans from Pioneer produced in 2008 again confirmed that the oil contains about 80 percent oleic acid. The high levels of oleic acid significantly increase the stability of the oil when used in frying and food processing, meaning the oil doesn’t break down as quickly. Soybeans are grown on more acres than any other oilseed crop in North America, making high oleic soybeans a cost-effective solution.

High oleic soybean oil also presents opportunities for industrial applications. The oil’s high stability in industrial settings will allow companies to develop renewable, environmentally sustainable options to petroleum-based products.

Canada and Mexico are the first countries to complete regulatory reviews of the high oleic trait. Pioneer completed U.S. regulatory submissions for approval of the high oleic soybean oil trait in December 2006. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed its review of high oleic soybeans earlier this year and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the process of reviewing the trait. Regulatory submissions for the trait are planned or have been completed in key soybean importing countries around the world.

Pioneer will introduce the high oleic soybean trait in its industry leading line-up of Pioneer® brand Y Series soybean varieties. These varieties will be field tested in the United States and Canada this growing season, with potential Canadian registration of the first products in 2010.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

~~~
For further information on high-oleic soybean, see:
http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php?action=Submit&evidx=541