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Soya: the health protector - The health effects of SoyaSoya-based Infant FormulaDespite the lack of evidence that soya harms babies, the use of soya-based infant formula remains a contentious issue. Breast milk is the best option for most infants but some mothers are unable to, or choose not to, breast-feed. In these cases, infant formula milks are recommended until the child is one. This is because non-formula milks contain too much salt, protein and not enough iron and other nutrients to meet an infant’s needs (FSA, 2010). Numerous studies show that infants fed soya formula grow and develop normally. 
In the US, 20-25 per cent of all formula-fed babies use soya (USDA, 2010). However, mothers in the UK are told not to use soya formula unless advised to by their doctor. This is an extremely cautious approach given that millions of American infants have been fed soya formula over the past three decades (Badger et al., 2002). There are no reports from Japan and China that the use of soya has had detrimental health effects. In fact, the absence of any reported ill effects on millions of infants would suggest there aren’t any. The COT report found no evidence of altered sexual development or impaired fertility among human populations eating lots of soya. Just one single human study has examined this and found no evidence of adverse effects, saying their findings were reassuring (Strom et al., 2001). In summary, soya formulas continue to provide a safe feeding option for most formula-fed infants (Klein, 1998).
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The Soya Story - ContentsResources:
Myth-Busting Soya and the Environment FAQs Soya research |
The Soya Story
The Safety of Soya 
Soya-Based Infant Formula 
The Soya Saga  |
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