SAN FRANCISCO, CA – August 21, 2024 - U.S. Soy customers who have license agreements to feature the Sustainable U.S. Soy label on their packaged goods were honored during in a special program at this year’s Soy Connext event in San Francisco. 

The Sustainable U.S. Soy (SUSS) label and Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels are found on over 1,045 products in 19 countries.

In total, 108 companies are currently licensed to carry the label; the 25 who attended Soy Connext this year were recognized by U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter and Director of Sustainability Abby Rinne.

“The decision to carry the Sustainable U.S. Soy or Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy label is proof that companies are delivering on their sustainability goals, while reassuring their customers and investors that they choose to source responsibly grown soybeans,” Rinne said, “We appreciated the opportunity to thank them in person for their partnership and their leadership in sustainability.”

Companies and brands from five global regions were honored:

Americas
COAVE
Grupo BIOS
INOLASA
Botero
GRANJA ZUL
PROTEINOL
Ragasa Industrias
SOLLA

Asia
New Anthoney's Farms 
Switz Lanka’s Happy Hen

Greater China
Shandong Bohi Industry
Central Union Oil Corporation
Fwusow Industry 
Great Wall Enterprise
Taisun Enterprise
TTET Union Corporation
Wei Chuan Foods Corporation

Northeast Asia
KG Agri Products
Miyoshi Foods
Taishi Food
Ourhome
Sajo Daerim Corporation

Southeast Asia
Janbee Corporation
Miracle Soybean Food International Corporation
PT. Azaki Food Internasional

Companies and brands featuring the label have found that it positively impacts consumer sentiment and behavior.

“Since introducing the Sustainable U.S. Soy label to Sajo Daerim’s soy paste products, sales increased 23% in less than one year,” said Sang Hoon Kim, CEO of Korea’s Sajo Daerim Corporation.

Sustainability in food labeling was a key theme at Soy Connext this year. In addition to the SUSS customer recognition program, breakout sessions on the topics of how sustainability labeling spurs value and trends in food packaging and labeling were also on the agenda.

“Sustainability is a path we all need to take, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because consumers have already arrived there. We as brands need to be there too,” said Neil Suraweera, CEO of New Anthoney’s Feeds and Farms based in Sri Lanka.

The Sustainable U.S. Soy label is available at no cost for use by international companies sourcing soy verified by the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). The SSAP verifies that U.S. Soy is produced with care for the environment and society under a system of regulations, processes and practices that deliver meaningful outcomes.

Soy products such as food or animal feed must contain at least 60 percent sustainable U.S. Soy, while whole soybean products must contain at least 90 percent sustainable U.S. Soy to meet label licensing requirements.  

Companies that produce animal products fed sustainable U.S. Soy can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by using the Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy label. At least 60 percent of the soy in the feed ration must come from verified sustainable U.S. Soy.

Annual audits are conducted with companies using the label to ensure adequate purchases and percent usage of SSAP-verified U.S. Soy.

This press release was funded in part by the soy checkoff

MEDIA CONTACTS

Kerrey Kerr-Enskat 
USSEC Communications Director 
+1 (515) 823-1848, kenskat@ussec.org

Mary Peck
USSEC Communications Manager 
+1 (303) 817-7669, mpeck@ussec.org

About U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol
The U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) is a tool that aggregates sustainability and conservation principles to verify sustainable soy production on U.S. soybean farms. U.S. soy production is based on a national system of sustainability and conservation laws and regulations combined with careful implementation of best production practices by more than 270,000 U.S. soybean farms. The SSAP is one part of the overall U.S. soy producer sustainability program.

About the U.S. Soybean Export Council
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the U.S. soybean checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit www.ussec.org for the latest information on U.S. Soy solutions and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.