Canada OKs GM High Oleic Soybean

WILMINGTON, Del.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.

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.

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

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. Were 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.

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