France’s food safety agency, ANSES, has recommended avoiding soy-based products in mass catering due to potential health risks linked to isoflavones, according to Euractiv.
Isoflavones are plant compounds with estrogen-like effects. The advisory has sparked debate among nutrition advocates and industry groups across Europe.
ANSES cited studies suggesting excessive isoflavone consumption could disrupt reproductive health. The agency urged food manufacturers to review production methods to reduce these compounds in food products. The move comes as France and the EU promote protein diversification for sustainable diets, potentially complicating efforts to expand plant-based meal options in schools and workplaces.
However, the recommendation faced immediate criticism from plant-based food advocates. The European Vegetarian Union called it “scientifically unfounded,” arguing soy has been safely consumed for centuries. ProVeg International noted the decision contradicts WHO classifications that label processed meats as carcinogenic while not similarly restricting them.
While ANSES has taken a precautionary stance, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) last assessed isoflavones in 2013, finding no harmful effects in their limited study scope. An EFSA spokesperson stated that any new evaluation would require a formal request from EU institutions or member states.
The French recommendation creates tension with broader EU efforts to encourage sustainable food systems, potentially influencing upcoming discussions about plant-based proteins in institutional catering across the bloc.
