Author : Lagdameo, Marilou; Aragon, Corazon T.; Quilloy, Antonio Jesus A.; Billedo, Nikka Marie P.; Paller, Rebeka A.

Summary : Soybean is one of the important sources of high quality but inexpensive dietary protein, which can help solve the problems of hunger and malnutrition. It is also known for its medicinal properties (e.g., anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory). It also prevents osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes (Lanou 2011). Considering the health values of soybeans, this project, which was funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) aimed at promoting the production, utilization and processing of soybeans to help prevent malnutrition not only in children with autism, but also normal children who are currently experiencing hunger and malnutrition.

One of the processed soybean products developed at ARNP’s processing plant under this project is soya chips. As a nutritional snack food for children, soya chips developed by ARNP are only recommended to those who have gluten and soya tolerance. The proponent is currently developing soya chips without gluten to address the autism community better.

Samples of soya chips were submitted by ARNP to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute- Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) for chemical analysis and nutrition facts information. The nutrition facts information was then included in the packaging label for soya chips.