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Soy leghemoglobin
Soy leghemoglobin
Soy leghemoglobin
What is it:
Soy leghemoglobin is a protein primarily naturally found in the roots of soybean plants, and it is an ingredient in the plant-based meat substitutes by Impossible Burger. To produce soy leghemoglobin, Impossible Foods genetically engineered yeasts to produce the protein in large quantities. The process involves introducing the soy leghemoglobin gene into the yeast, which then ferments and produces the protein. This plant-based heme protein is used to provide a meat-like flavor and appearance to plant-based products.
Rating:
The soy leghemoglobin found in Impossible Foods is a genetically modified form that has never been consumed before. The Center for Food safety filed a petition with the FDA against it’s approval of this ingredient, stating that:
“CFS objects to the approval of the new color additive petition for GMO ‘heme’ because (1) FDA did not require testing of the raw product or the genetically engineered yeast; (2) FDA’s approval will allow GMO ‘heme’ to be used in new cell-based products without additional testing; (3) the product is not properly labeled; and (4) FDA failed to satisfy the “convincing evidence” standard that applies for approval of new color additives”.
The safety studies showing that the ingredient is safe for consumption were all funded by Impossible Foods, and no human research exists.
Resources:
- Center for Food Safety petition to FDA against the approval of the FDA’s approval of Impossible Foods’ soy leghemoglobin
- Media report of the Center for Food Safety’s petition against FDA
- FDA ruling on soy leghemoglobin
- Safety Evaluation of Soy Leghemoglobin Protein Preparation Derived From Pichia pastoris in rats (animal study)
- Evaluating Potential Risks of Food Allergy and Toxicity of Soy Leghemoglobin Expressed in Pichia pastoris (review)
- The Safety of Soy Leghemoglobin Protein Preparation Derived from Pichia pastoris Expressing a Soy Leghemoglobin Gene from Glycine max (in vitro and In vivo studies)
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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