Fortification of soy beverages is optional. According to the Food and Drugs Act (1), processors may choose to manufacture soy beverages without any fortification. If they choose to fortify, the level of fortification must be equivalent to the level of these nutrients found in milk. There are two options for fortification:
- To fortify with 6 nutrients — processors must add vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, calcium and zinc.
- To fortify with 15 nutrients — processors must add vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, calcium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin C, thiamin, niacin, folacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium.
Be sure to read the labels carefully to check if the product you are purchasing is fortified. Although not identical in terms of micronutrients, fortified soy beverages can be used as an alternative to milk by adults and children over two years of age.
Unfortified soy beverages may be used as an alternative to meat in the diet, not milk.
There are no minimum requirements for total fat or protein in soy beverages. The Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada advise that soy beverages, whether or not they are fortified, should not be given to children under the age of two (2).
Soy formula is not the same as soy beverages. Soy formula is appropriately used with infants on vegan diets or infants with galactosemia. The use of soy formula for infants with proven milk allergy is controversial, since many infants allergic to cow’s milk will also be allergic to soy protein. A casein-hydrolysate formula is the first choice for infants with proven allergy. Soy formula does not prevent or manage colic, nor does it prevent allergy in healthy or high-risk infants.
Sources
(1) Health Canada. Food and Drugs Act and Regulations, 1981 (Amendment November 20, 1997).
(2) Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada. Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Ottawa, 2005.
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