- WHO/Codex Standard 175-1989
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- 6.3 (c) When tested by appropriate methods of
sampling and examination the product shall not contain other poisonous
substances which may represent a hazard to health.
- WHO/Codex General Guidelines for the
Utlization of Vegetable Protein Products (VPP) in Foods
-
- CAC/GL 4-1989
-
- 4.1 VPP intended for human consumption
should not represent a hazard to health.
Annex
The raw materials from which VPP are produced may
contain naturally occurring toxic or anti-nutritional factors.
Some of these factors may still be present in VPP after processing.
In the light of the above observations it becomes important that
prior to the use as human food, VPP be subjected to adequate testing
to demonstrate safety and appropriate nutritional quality.
A distinct VPP needs to be tested pursuant to this guideline only
once, that is, to obtain a toxicological and nutritional profile
for VPP. Prior history of safe use may be taken into account
in the evaluation of a novel VPP proposed for general consumption,
but this alone is not necessarily sufficient to preclude adequate
pre-clinical testing by currently available, more objective, laboratory
animal feeding studies, and, where applicable, studies using human
volunteers.
1.4 Toxicological Safety:
The safety of the VPP should be predicted from information
concerning methods of production, chemical and physical properties.
This should be supported, where necessary, by safety data using
laboratory animals.
2.4.1 Subacute Toxicity Studies:
The purpose of these studies is to delineate the
toxic potential of VPP and to elucidate such problems as species
sensitivity, the nature of gross and micro-pathological changes
and the approximate dose level at which these effects occur.
They also provide guidelines for the selection of dosage for chronic
toxicity tests and any functional or biochemical studies that may
be necessary.
2.4.1.3 Length of Study:
Subacute toxicity feeding trials should be at least
three months duration.
2.4.2 Other Studies:
Following an appraisal of the source and the method
of manufacture of the VPP together with the results of nutritional
and subacute toxicity studies, the need for further studies including
chronic, reproduction, teratogenic and mutagenic studies will be
evaluated.
SOS comment:
There is clear evidence that Soy Protein does not
meet WHO/Codex Guidelines. The isoflavones present in soy
protein induce:
Subacute toxicity
Chronic
toxicity
Reproductive toxicity
Teratogenic
effects
Mutagenic
effects
The potential oral hazard of phytoestrogens has
long been known by food regulator such as the FDA. During
his presentation at the 3rd International Phytoestrogen Conference
in 1995, FDA regulator Dr Michael Bolger made direct reference to
the soy isoflavones causing infertility, uterine hypertrophy and
testicular atrophy in rodents, liver disease and reproductive failure
in cheetah and menstrual cycle effects on women.
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