A regulatory green light in Food Standards Australia New Zealand is opening fresh runway for soy-based innovation in APAC. IFF has secured approval for a new heart health claim linking isolated soy protein to improved blood cholesterol levels, enabling manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand to position qualifying products around cardiovascular support. The claim applies to foods delivering 20-25 g of isolated soy protein per day as part of a balanced diet.
A statement from the company notes: "IFF confirms that the soy protein heart health claim referenced in recent coverage is a self‑substantiated general level health claim notified to FSANZ in accordance with Standard 1.2.7 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code."
For IFF, the decision is both scientific validation and commercial leverage. “This approved claim validates years of rigorous research and collaboration,” said Tony Andrew, VP of protein solutions, signaling the company’s intent to translate the milestone into scalable, differentiated product pipelines across beverages, dairy alternatives and plant-based formats.
The approval is underpinned by a multi-year, cross-continental effort involving Soy Nutrition Institute Global, the U.S. Soybean Export Council and academic partners including the University of Toronto. According to lead author Alan Barclay, Ph.D., the clinical evidence supports a causal relationship between isolated soy protein intake and improved blood lipids—an important consideration in markets where dyslipidemia remains widespread.
With Australia and New Zealand joining established markets such as the United States, Canada and Japan in recognizing soy protein’s cardiovascular benefits, the ruling sharpens the competitive edge for plant-based proteins. It also strengthens the positioning of IFF’s Solae Supro portfolio as brands look to pair substantiated health claims with taste, functionality and sustainability credentials.
