New Soyfoods alliance to improve the nutritional value of foods in nine African countries

16/09/05 Top soy industry leaders launched a new partnership to improve the nutritional value of foods offered in nine African countries as well as foster long-term business growth for Africa as well as the United States. The Soy in Southern Africa Alliance is a two-year, public-private partnership led by the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). U.S. soy processors are also partnering and pledging technical knowledge, products and equipment that will benefit at least 45 African companies as well as thousands of people, including HIV/AIDS patients.

U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) hosted the signing ceremony. "America's soybean producers have known for years that they were growing one of the most nutritious foods in the world. I'm pleased that USAID is not only recognizing that as well, but putting that food to work in a way that will help thousands of people in very important ways, as well as develop new markets for soybean producers," said Dorgan.

Soy, an economical source of high-quality protein already in demand in Africa, can cost effectively improve the nutritional content of African foods, and create opportunity for African businesses. The Alliance effort will improve nutrition and create sustainable economic development opportunities in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia.

U.S. industry partners signed the agreement witnessed by USAID and other guests. Partners include WISHH, The Solae Company, Natural Products Inc., WhiteWave Foods/Silk Soymilk, Soyatech, Hain Celestial Group, Malnutrition Matters, and The Services Group. Key African-based partners include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as well as local, regional, and national government authorities, and targeted non-governmental organizations and businesses. These partners are part of the Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub managed by The Services Group - a USAID contractor.

WISHH has assembled a support team from the nation's top corporate and association soy experts to head the efforts in Africa. U.S. industry is contributing more than $450,000 to the program and USAID's Africa Bureau and Global Development Alliance program is leveraging the corporate contribution with $300,000.

The Solae Company, a global innovator in technology development and the research and application of soy protein, is the largest industry representative and contributor to the campaign. Because the company holds extensive expertise in the areas of protein nutrition, application and global food trends, it will play a key role in the alliance.

In recent years, food insecurity has also greatly affected the Southern African region requiring substantial amounts of humanitarian assistance. According to USAID, over the last two decades, Southern Africa has experienced a 16 percent increase in undernourishment. Moreover, at this current rate, the number of malnourished children will increase by more than 200,000 by 2015.

In addition, within the nine African countries targeted in this program, six (Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zambia) have HIV/AIDS rates that are higher than 20 percent of the population.

The WISHH Alliance is designed to provide a variety of services to increase the capacity of African businesses by incorporate soy ingredients into their products. Training courses and training materials will be provided to local manufacturers, distributors, and processors that explain ways to utilize soy proteins for functional, nutritional and economic benefit. Industry experts will teach participants how to increase soy quality, lower associated costs and enhance the nutrition of foods.

State soybean grower organizations launched the WISHH Program in 2000. WISHH is headquartered at the American Soybean Association in St. Louis, and it creates sustainable solutions for the protein demands of people in developing countries through the introduction and use of U.S. soy products. WISHH has worked in 23 countries, ranging from Africa to Asia to Latin America, to improve diets as well as encourage growth of food industries.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, The Solae Company is a global innovator in technology development and the research and application of soy protein. It serves food and beverage manufacturers, dietary supplement developers, retailers and consumers in 100 countries worldwide including the U.S. and Canada, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America and the Asia/Pacific region. The company was formed through an alliance between DuPont (NYSE: DD) and Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG). For more than 30 years, The Solae Company has invested in fundamental research to understand the health benefits of soy protein in order to provide better ingredients for better living. Researchers at more than 180 leading universities and research institutions have used soy protein products produced by The Solae Company in hundreds of completed and ongoing soy studies.

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