19 May 2010 --- In keeping with a commitment to provide new options for agriculture and a more health-conscious public, Monsanto Company announced that the company has reached an important regulatory milestone that will advance the development of foods with reduced saturated fat and reduced or no trans fats.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a response letter to Monsanto's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification.  The FDA's letter supports the use of oil from Vistive Gold soybeans under the intended conditions of use.

The GRAS status enables food companies to develop and test foods containing this nutritionally improved soybean oil, which is an important step toward offering consumers the benefit from this oil in a variety of food products, such as French fries or crackers.

"This product could offer farmers and the food industry an opportunity to help meet a growing demand for healthier foods," said Roy Fuchs, Monsanto's global technology lead for oilseeds. "Vistive Gold provides a glimpse into the next-generation of soybean products that can bring direct health benefits to consumers. We also expect farmers to benefit from the premium pricing opportunity the market is likely to offer for this oil once it's commercialized."

The company has completed U.S. regulatory submissions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FDA, and has made numerous regulatory submissions to the appropriate regulatory agencies around the world for the product. Upon completion of the necessary regulatory processes, food companies will be able to purchase this new food oil and sell healthier food prepared with this oil.

"I get really excited about the possibility of growing soybeans like Vistive Gold," said Victor Bohuslavsky, QUALISOY vice chairman and soybean farmer from Nebraska.  "Oil from these beans can help food companies meet their reduced trans and saturated fat goals.  It's also got the flexibility to be used alone or with other oils to optimize cost and taste."

This second-generation product builds on Monsanto's existing Vistive soybeans by providing food companies with a more stable soybean oil for frying, cracker and snack food production and baking applications that can lower levels of saturated fat and eliminates trans fats.  Research has shown that a diet low in saturated fats and trans fats promotes heart health. In addition, application studies show that products fried in the new oil maintain optimum flavor quality.

"A product like Vistive Gold is exciting because it may offer a healthier option to allow people to enjoy some of their favorite foods without the worry of consuming too much saturated or trans fat," said Nutrition Communication Consultant Connie Diekman, R.D., who is past president of the American Dietetic Association. "Small steps toward healthier eating can add up and really make a positive difference."

Monsanto is actively seeking food application partnerships with companies interested in delivering food products to consumers with this improved oil.