By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Cargill says it has developed soybean oil made from identity-preserved (IdP), non-GMO soybeans. The oil will be refined at its Des Moines, Iowa, plant. Cargill states that the Des Moines location was chosen because it is considered to be the most cost-efficient refinery.
Cargill says that it is currently obtaining its soybean from growers in Iowa and Illinois. Supplies of its non-GMO soybean oil will be offered (in limited supplies) to interested customers beginning in September. Company spokesperson, Ethan Thei, food ingredients commercial manager, says the number of producers that it will work with in the future relies on demand for the product.
According to Cargill, one food manufacture has already secured a significant portion of its available 2014 soybean oil supply. Producing non-GMO soybean oil requires a rigorous process, from the production level (growing the soybeans), to putting a system in place to avoid contamination with bioengineered crops during harvesting, transportation, storage, handling, processing, refining and marketing.
While Cargill acknowledges that developing IdP products at an industrial scale is difficult, it asserts that it is well suited for the challenge because of their proven experience with supply-chain management, large network of farmers and strong understanding of consumer trends.
This most recent venture into producing Idp soybean oil will help grow Cargill’s non-GMO portfolio. Currently, the company makes non-GMO sweeteners, starches and coca. There are ample opportunities to market non-GMO soybean oil to the food and beverage sectors, which is why Cargill hopes be a game changer in this market.