Food Recall: Bonsoy soy milk with very high levels of iodine
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk. Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use this product.
This follows a cluster of nine adults aged from 29 to 47, and one child, who have recently presented in NSW with thyroid problems. These individuals all reported consuming Bonsoy soy milk. Subsequent testing of samples of Bonsoy soy milk revealed unusually high levels of iodine. This brand of soy milk is enriched with “Kombu”, which is a seaweed product.
A consumer-level recall for the Bonsoy soy milk is being voluntarily instigated by the importer today.
The levels of iodine in the Bonsoy soy milk were at a level that is likely to exceed tolerable daily intakes for iodine when as little as 30ml (one eighth of a cup) is consumed per day by an adult.
Iodine is needed for the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. A healthy daily iodine intake is about 80-150 micrograms with a recommended safe upper limit of 1,100 micrograms per day for adults, and from 200 micrograms for 1-3 year olds to 900micrograms for 14 year-olds.
Daily consumption of a cup of Bonsoy soy milk could lead to a daily iodine intake of more than 7,500 micrograms at the levels tested. Chronic consumption of high levels of iodine may affect the thyroid and cause people to feel generally unwell. Anybody consuming Bonsoy soy milk product over a prolonged time who feels generally unwell should consult their doctor.
The body excretes iodine, so when a source of high iodine ceases, levels in the body will decrease over time.
The only soy milk product identified through testing to have high levels of iodine to date is Bonsoy soy milk.
The “Authorities” contribute to the nervousness that people will have about drinking Bonsoy, because of elevated levels of iodine – so how do we react to the addition of iodine to bread? See the following – did we just accept the addition of iodine without a murmur of complaint or questioning the validity of the claims?:
“The addition of iodised salt to Australian bread from tomorrow (October 9) will help address the re-emergence of iodine deficiency across most of the population, the nation’s food regulatory body advised today.
Dr Paul Brent, Chief Scientist for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), said this initiative will address this important public health issue.
“Iodine is essential for the healthy function of the thyroid gland to help it produce hormones that regulate metabolism, including the regulation of body temperature. Most people need only a small amount a day but we need iodine regularly because we cannot store large amounts in the body,” he said.
“Iodine is particularly important for the normal development of a baby’s brain and nervous system, especially during pregnancy and in the first 2-3 years of life . Not having enough iodine during pregnancy and early childhood can cause developmental delay and lead to reductions in mental performance. This damage prior to 2-3 years of age is irreversible.”
Dr Brent noted that many foods contain iodine but Australian and New Zealand diets were often lacking enough of the nutrient as the country’s ancient soils lack this important nutrient.”
I for one, will not stop drinking Bonsoy – compare the ingredients of Bonsoy to other soys that are heavily promoted (Delta – why promote a So Good product that tastes So NOT Good???!!!)
Jenny
if you ever hope to have a clean pregnancy, I’d recommend not having Bonsoy. Do some research.
Of course, once they re-release Bonsoy, go for it, but I, and many others, will never buy it again. The way they’ve handled this has not been great.
Tim
Since the recall of BONSOY Iam finding no other soy milk compares fo BONSOY not only in taste but in fridge life .I CANT WAIT TILL IT COMES BACK AND I HOPE IT DOES. does any one know if thats the case?
Both my husband and myself had been drinking Bonsoy for about three years. My husband’s thyroid function tests have been abnormal and this has led to many tests to check on his thyroid function which has been blamed on the very high iodine content of the soy milk. This has caused a great deal of anxiety for both of us and I feel someone should be held accountable for this very grave mistake. When Bonsoy comes back on the market minus the kelp we will not be drinking it again and I would advise other people to also follow this action. I think it is disgusting that such a mistake was made in adding the high content of kelp in this milk.
why the high and mighty attitudes?
kombu has been eaten in large amounts around the world for years. i wasn’t aware it contained harmful levels of iodine. what reason was there to think that adding a tiny amount of seaweed to a product (as listed on the label) would be harmful?
everybody is physically different and different aspects of the diet (and environmental exposure) are a major determinant of required/ safe/ maximum levels of nutrients. i find it hard to believe that the level of iodine is problematic for many people. it’s good that we now know, but there is a bit of a beat up when this is banned and all sorts of pesticides and GM organisms are routinely included in so many foods without regulation, let alone notification.
bonsoy is the only soy milk i’ve really liked and i used to feel decidely healthier after drinking it on occasions. perhaps i have a high requirement for iodine?
I have been consuming. Bonsoy in large quantities for many years since a natuapath recommended it , It is without a doubt the best tasting soy milk on the market (also the most expensive) and I have. tried to find an alternative however they all taste terrible !! Why doesn’t’ our wonderful health department act on other things such as doctors prescribing pharmaceutical drugs which are making Australians sick and killing them by the thousands every year. Paul Kenny. .
All soy drinks/products affect the thyroid SOY SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE it interferes with your hormones. It also causes other health problems .
I was drinking VITASOY and other brands for 6 years and have problems with an Underactive thyroid for the last 5 years.
We all need IODINE to function properly but of course not in high doses!
go to http://www.doctorsaredangerous.com
website to read more about it!
I now use Rice milk Aussie Dreams brand! occasionally, but we really don’t need milk in any form in our diet just eat heaps of veggies, almonds and sesame seeds for calcium!
Final note stay away from SOY in all forms!