Facts About the

The Soy Protein Council members are U.S. manufacturers that process and sell soy proteins or food products containing soy proteins. The three firms comprising the council are Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Inc., and The Solae Company.

The Soy Protein Council was originally founded in 1971 as the Food Protein Council. Companies joined the Council to establish a forum to discuss and act on common issues of concern to their industry. It was renamed the Soy Protein Council in 1981 to more closely reflect the objectives and interests of the member companies. Since its creation, the Council continually meets with key federal decision-makers, files formal comments with government agencies, participates in international conferences and seminars, exhibits at trade shows, and monitors scientific developments, and has published information on the value of soy protein.

The Council's primary purpose is to promote the growth and interests of the soy protein industry and broaden the acceptance of soy products as key components of the worldwide food system. To that end, the Council:

• builds awareness of the established nutritional properties of commercially available soy proteins, and participates in the formulation of U.S. nutrition goals and policies;
• assists government agencies, the scientific community, the food processing industry and public interest groups to better understand the role and use of soy proteins in the food system; and,
• works toward harmonizing world food regulations that permit and encourage maximum use of soy proteins in the world food supply.