The American Soybean Association’s (ASA) World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program funded multiple activities in Sri Lanka last week to educate healthcare professionals and food processors on the many benefits of using soy proteins in human foods.

Dr. Suresh Itapu, a soyfood expert, gave consultations to two food processors on the economic, nutritional and functional attributes of using U.S. soy proteins in their products.

Cade Fields-Gardner, a nutritionist, met with health professional associations on how soy proteins can be used to treat chronic diseases and help with human nutrition.

Both Itapu and Fields-Gardner presented at an ASA/WISHH organized conference held for over 100 healthcare professionals on the health benefits of consuming soy, which helped reduce the many misconceptions of consuming soy proteins.

Consumers view health professional as a reliable source for health and nutrition information.  Audience questions included the use of GMO soybeans in human foods and how soy proteins can help immune systems suppress disease conditions.

ASA/WISHH works in the Sri Lankan human food sector, while the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) conducts an animal feed program.

Future human food activities include, bringing a trade team to the August INTSOY course hosted by the Northern Crops Institute (NCI), technical assistance to food processors and hosting a conference for food processors. Funding for these activities is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Emerging Markets Program (EMP).