4 ways to identify genetically modified soybeans and drink high-quality soy milk safely

What kind of soybeans are the tofu, soy milk and soy milk you eat made from? Is the soybean you eat safe? The Housewives' Union once announced that Taiwan's annual demand for soybeans is as high as more than 2 million tons, but more than 90% of the soybean products consumed by Taiwanese are genetically modified imported feed soybeans. According to foreign studies, long-term consumption may increase the risk of infertility, organ disease and cancer. Genetically modified soybeans are like an unexploded bomb for food safety! (Video/Photographer Jiang Minjun)

Nutritionist You Chengyi (left) said that Chinese people love to drink soy milk, and soybean drinks high in calcium are most popular among female consumers. (Photography by Jiang Minjun)

Since there are safety issues with genetically modified soybeans, why are they still so widespread? Nutritionist You Chengyi said that genetically modified soybeans are mainly cultivated to improve crop insect resistance, pesticide resistance, or to improve nutritional content. Although the starting point is good, the impact of food on physical health can only be seen over time.

There are also long-term follow-up studies in Austria and Italy that have found that livestock fed large amounts of genetically modified soybeans will have negative effects on fertility. In addition, eating genetically modified soybeans may cause new allergic reactions and pose concerns to human immunity.

Internet rumor: Are soybeans with black belly buttons genetically modified soybeans?

How can we distinguish genetically modified soybeans from non-genetically modified soybeans? It is circulated on the Internet that genetically modified soybeans have significant differences in appearance from non-genetically modified soybeans. For example, soybeans with black navels or sprouts are genetically modified soybeans. In fact, this is just a myth! Nutritionist You Chengyi pointed out that the color of soybean belly buttons varies due to different varieties. Soybeans germinate naturally, and genetic modification does not change this characteristic.

There is a rumor on the Internet that soybeans with black belly buttons or sprouted soybeans are genetically modified soybeans. In fact, these are all false myths. (Photography by Jiang Minjun)

Since the online rumors are not true, what authentication methods can consumers use to distinguish non-GMO soybeans? To ensure consumer safety? Especially how to identify it from the product box? To choose non-GMO soybeans, it is best to check the labels. Here are 4 effective ways to verify:

Four things that non-GM soybeans must be certified for

1. Understand the five words "non-GMO"

If the soybeans are verified by the Department of Health and are deemed not to be genetically modified, or if less than 5% of genetically modified soybeans are adulterated during the harvesting, storage and transportation process, the words "non-genetically modified" or "not genetically modified" can be labeled on the packaging. If it is genetically modified soybeans, these two words cannot be labeled. Currently, it is not mandatory for GM soybeans to be labeled with the words "genetically modified" or "contains genetically modified products". However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to reform the mandatory labeling of GMO packaged foods before 2015, and will lower the adulteration standard to 3%.

2. IP Authentication

IP certification (Identity Preservation Soybean Procedure) is Canada's identification system for non-GMO soybeans. It specifies that soybeans are always non-GMO and of a single variety in every step from sowing, planting, processing, transportation to consumption on the table.

3. Official certification from the country of origin

Soybeans imported from outside Canada will not have IP certification, but will have certification from the country of origin for people to use as a reference.

4. The business operator submits the inspection report by himself

If the official inspection results sent by the industry show that the soybeans are non-GMO, it is also a credible standard.

Nutritionist You Chengyi (pictured) stressed that the soy isoflavones, plant sterols and dietary fiber contained in natural soybeans have excellent health benefits. (Photography by Jiang Minjun)

Soy milk has many benefits and it is safer to choose non-GMO soy milk

Soybeans contain high-quality plant protein, unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, soy isoflavones, minerals, dietary fiber, saponins and plant sterols, etc., which have a lot of benefits to human health. In particular, soy protein accounts for more than 35% of the whole soybean. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that a daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein, combined with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, has very good health benefits for the body. In addition, scientific research has proven that the isoflavones, plant sterols and dietary fiber contained in soybeans have excellent health benefits.

Genetically modified foods are made by disintegrating and recombining genes in order to optimize crops' resistance to the environment. However, this unnatural practice may bring hidden dangers to human health that may only become apparent in the long term. In order to avoid health concerns, it is recommended to purchase foods that are labeled "non-GMO" based on the principle of "natural is best" to ensure your health.