What is carrageenan?
We appreciate you being a dedicated consumer of our products, your health is important to us. We want to assure you that Vitasoy's foods are indeed safe - for you and your family.

Carrageenan is a common food additive that is accepted and used worldwide and considered safe as a food ingredient by health officials. Carrageenan is derived from red seaweed also known as Irish Moss or Chondrus Crispus. Carrageenan has long been used as a thickener in ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese and other processed food products, including soymilk.

There is some negative publicity about carrageenan that is based on a different compound derived from seaweed called "poligeenan". Poligeenan is used strictly for industrial non- food purposes; it is not an acceptable food additive. Studies have shown that poligeenan can be linked to health disorders. At one time poligeenan was referred to as carrageenan and therefore the resulting confusion between carrageenan and poligeenan.

The US Adopted Names Council determined that "poligeenan" was a more accurate and descriptive name for this non-food additive however early reference to it as carrageenan continues to cause confusion. Poligeenan did demonstrate unfavorable health effects in studies however food-grade carrageenan has no known toxicity or carcinogenicity and is considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Food & Drug Administration.

Who says that carrageenan is safe enough to be used in foods?
The JECFA (http://www.who.int/ipcs/food/jecfa/en/) convened in 2001 to complete its review on the safety of carrageenan. They determined that carrageenan could be used safely in the diet at amounts only limited by the amount necessary to achieve its technical effect, i.e. a thickener in food.

JECFA is the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives that is administered jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). JECFA is an internationally recognized independent scientific review committee. Many countries refer to or follow the JECFA decisions when deciding whether to use a food additive and how to use a food additive in their country.

Because carrageenan is a permitted food additive worldwide, it is apparent that a number of regulatory authorities, including the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) have concluded that carrageenan is a safe and suitable food additive.

Are the soybeans or other ingredients used genetically modified?
No, Vitasoy USA uses only non-GMO ingredients in its soymilk and tofu products.

Can I purchase your products directly through Vitasoy USA Inc.?
As Vitasoy USA Inc. products are sold using a system of brokers and distributors; we do not have a direct mail order or online purchasing.

How can eating soy help me have a healthy heart?
In October 1999, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 25 grams of soy protein a day helps fight coronary heart disease and according to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The FDA allows the health claim labels on foods that contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium.

Research reviewed by the FDA shows that soy protein, when included in a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet, lowers total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, without adversely effecting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. According to the FDA, clinical studies have shown that consumption of soy compared to other protein, such as those from milk or meat, lowers total and LDL cholesterol.

Consumers can find the following claim on all qualifying VITASOY, NASOYA & AZUMAYA products: "Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of (VITASOY/NASOYA/AZUMAYA product) provides at least 6.25 grams of the daily soy protein needed."

Does Soymilk or Tofu contain cholesterol?
No, cholesterol is only found in animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs.

Is soy protein a complete protein?
Yes, it contains all nine of the amino acids essential in human nutrition in amounts adequate for human use.

What is a serving size of soymilk or tofu?

• A serving of VITASOY soymilk is 1 cup or 8 oz.
• A serving of AZUMAYA, NASOYA or VITASOY tofu is ½ cup or about 3 oz.

What are the benefits of magnesium chloride and calcium sulfate that are found in tofu?
These coagulants help turn soybeans and water into a block of tofu. They also contribute valuable minerals, magnesium and calcium to the tofu.

Is there a recommended amount of soy to consumer per day?
A good starting point is a serving of soymilk or tofu each day. To reduce heart disease risk the FDA recommends consuming 25 grams daily, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Eating 3-4 servings of soy foods a day, such as soymilk and tofu, can help to achieve this goal.

What are isoflavones?
Soybeans are the main food source that contains isoflavones. Isoflavones are plant estrogens that are thought to play a role in the prevention of heart disease and cancers, and may help to decrease menopausal side effects such as hot flashes. Researchers are working to better understand the role isoflavones play in our body, but they seem to work in conjunction with soy protein.