Food experts at Solae unveil new vegetable/meat protein blend technology - FLORIDA - The Solae Company has invented a new generation of technology and ingredients that will allow meat companies to produce a nutritious product with virtually the same taste and texture of traditional beef or chicken.

Executives unveiled the patent-pending technology SoleCina(TM), with its versatile new generation of concepts, applications and ingredients, at a gathering of 18,000 food scientists and technologists this morning in Orlando. It is the result of several years of closely guarded research and development at The Solae Company.

"This is a game-changing innovation with the potential to greatly enhance how our customers satisfy changing consumer needs," said Tony Arnold, president and CEO of The Solae Company. "SoleCina is an example of our broad portfolio of application science, food ingredient innovation and a deep understanding of consumer trends coming together to deliver another industry breakthrough."

SoleCina converts a proprietary blend of vegetable and meat protein into a nutritious hybrid with the consistency of cooked, whole muscle meat. Appropriately flavored, the final product almost perfectly mimics the taste and appearance of beef strips, chunks, patties or steak but with considerably fewer calories, less fat and less cholesterol.

"In the United States, we tend to readily associate soy protein with its proven heart health benefits and overlook many of its other nutritional benefits," said Jonathan McIntyre, the company's vice president of research and development. "It's the only plant-based protein with a protein quality equal to that of meat, milk and eggs.

"It's easily digested in the body, rich in micronutrients such as iron and B-vitamins, and cholesterol free. When combined with a modest amount of meat, you have a very nutritious product that is attractively presented and tastes outstanding."

SoleCina is the latest example of The Solae Company's expansive portfolio of soy protein ingredient innovation. For more than 30 years, food manufacturers and meat processors have counted on the company's applied technology expertise to develop more affordable and nutritious products without compromising quality or taste.

"We look at value and quality from many angles -- functionality, safety, purity, consistency, customer service, technical support -- to ensure that our customers are never disappointed," McIntyre said. "Over the last 30 years we have built a reputation for delivering leading-edge ingredient technology and technical support that allows our customers to capture new market opportunities. We're excited to bring our SoleCina technology to the global marketplace."

The Solae Company is a food innovation and ingredient manufacturing organization, providing food and beverage manufacturers across the world with better ingredients for better living(TM). Headquartered in St. Louis, with annual revenue exceeding $1 billion, the company was formed through an alliance between Bunge Limited and DuPont.

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