FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions: Soybean Oils and Traits
The experts here at QUALISOY are always looking to connect you to the information on trait-enhanced soybean oil you need. Check here for answers to frequently asked questions about these new and innovative oils.
Q: What is QUALISOY?
A: QUALISOY is a soybean industry collaboration that works with our partner organizations to deliver new and improved soybean traits for healthier, more functional soybean oil.
Q: Who is Involved in QUALISOY?
A: Representatives from all sectors of the soybean marketplace are involved, including farmers: seed companies, researchers, food manufacturers, soybean processors, agricultural organizations, feed manufacturers and trade associations.
Q: What new soybean varieties can I add to my operation?
A: Pioneer HiBred, Inc., currently contracts acreage for Plenish, its high-oleic soybean varieties in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Monsanto plans to contract acreage for its high-oleic soybeans varieties, Vistive Gold, in the near future. And in the not-so-distant future, soybeans offering increased levels of Omega-3 fatty acids could bring new opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers to increase their on-farm profit potential. Check with your seed dealer to find out if varieties are available in your area.
Q: Is QUALISOY a supplier? Where can I buy QUALISOY oils?
A: QUALISOY is not a supplier and does not actually produce or sell soybean oil. Rather, QUALISOY is an industry organization that helps the soybean industry to identify and respond to the needs of the edible oil market, and then help to introduce and promote new soybean oils once they have been developed. Connect with a supplier in your area today.
Q: Are the oils QUALISOY promotes developed through biotechnology?
A: For the most part, yes. Seed companies can utilize traditional breeding, marker-assisted breeding and biotechnology approaches to modify soybeans and produce oils with improved health and nutrition benefits. However, most of the new soybean oils are either developed through biotechnology or have a biotech-derived trait added. One exception is low-linolenic soybeans. This first generation of trait-enhanced soybeans was developed through traditional plant breeding. Some of the seed varieties have remained non-GMO, while others include Roundup Ready®, a biotech-derived, herbicide-resistance trait that offers agronomic and environmental benefits.
Q: What consumer benefits do the new oils offer?
A: The first biotech-derived soybeans offered a variety of agronomic and environmental benefits. In addition, new varieties have direct consumer benefits. For example, high-oleic soybean oils have no trans fats, making them a healthier alternative to partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Soon, a high oleic, low saturated fat variety will be introduced with saturated fat levels comparable to Canola, and monounsaturated fat levels similar to olive oil. Perhaps most exciting, a high omega-3 soybean oil will provide a land-based form of omega-3's that is easily converted in the body.
Q: Why does QUALISOY focus on oil?
A: When it comes to uses for soybean oil, none come close to edible oils. Soybean oil accounts for about 65 percent of all vegetable oil consumed by humans in the United States, by far the most used oil in U.S. food production. The U.S. food industry uses about 15 billion pounds of soybean oil annually. In fact, it's the most consumed edible oil in the world.
