Hexane in Soy Products: A Need for Concern?
In April 2010, an investigation revealed the presence of hexane in several soy-containing food
products. Learn what this means to you and how to protect yourself.
Use in manufacturing
Hexane is a neurotoxin that is also a petroleum byproduct of gasoline refining. It is listed as a
hazardous air pollutant with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hexane combines
with nitrogen in the air to create ozone. Grain processors currently are responsible for two thirds
of air pollution caused by hexane. When released in a plant’s wastewater, hexane can lead to
dangerous explosions.
Manufacturers of soy-based foods are submerging their products in a hexane-containing solution
as a method of separating them into soy oil, protein, and fiber. It is then possible to remove the
oil, creating a lower-fat food. The US Food and Drug Administration does not set a maximum
residue level for hexane in soy food and does not require food manufacturers to test for hexane
residues in their products. However, they do impose a limit of 5 parts per million (ppm) in fish
protein isolate and a limit of 25 ppm in hop extract and spice resins. The investigation found 21
ppm in soy meal and more recent research has found amounts of up to 50 ppm.
Implicated products
Among others, Amy’s® Kitchen, Boca® Burger (conventional), Morningstar Farms®, Franklin
Farms®, It’s All Good®, Lightlife, President’s Choice®, SoyBoy®, A Taste Above™, Yves®
Veggie Cuisine, Trader Joe’s®, and GardenBurger® products were found to contain hexane. Soybased infant formulas also were found to contain hexane.
The side effects
Unfortunately, no one knows what the side effects are. No human studies have occurred.
However, the EPA warns that breathing hexane can cause numbness of the extremities, muscular
weakness, blurred vision (long-term exposure can lead to restricted visual field and optic nerve
damage), headache, and fatigue. Dermal contact with hexane leads to erythema and hyperemia,
with blisters developing after several hours. Studies done on rats show neurological issues after
consumption of 2000 milligrams (mg) for more than 90 days. This is the equivalent of a human
eating 1.4 million soy burgers/day.
Advice to consumers
If you are concerned, know that foods labeled 100% organic cannot contain hexane and still meet
regulations—choose these. Boca Burger and Morningstar Farms products labeled “made with
organic soy” do not contain hexane. However, this is not true of all soy foods. For instance, Clif®
Bars are labeled as “made with organic soy,” and they still were found to contain hexane.
Helen’s Kitchen™, Tofurky®, Turkey Island Foods, and Wildwood™ are some of the
manufacturers who do not use hexane.
References and recommended readings
Cornucopia Institute. Behind the bean: the heroes and charlatans of the natural and organic soy
foods industry. Available at:
http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf.
Accessed July 6, 2010.
Goldwert L. Soy burger with a side of toxin? Available at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/14/health/main6395841.shtml. Accessed July 6, 2010.
Miller T. Some veggie burgers found to contain harmful substance, hexane, used to process soy.
Available at: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/04/14/2010-0414_some_veggie_burgers_found_to_contain_harmful_substance_hexane_used_to_process_so.ht
ml. Accessed July 6, 2010.
Palmer B. Is your veggie burger killing you? The risk of hexane in soy products. Available at:
http://www.slate.com/id/2252002. Accessed July 6, 2010.
Review Date 8/10
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