On March 17, 2006, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Genistein and Soy Formula Expert Panel met to review the scientific data available to determine any toxicity related to genistein or soy infant formula on growth and development. Taking into account both human and animal data, the panel concluded that soy did not raise concerns for infant and adult development or reproductive health, but suggests more human research be conducted.
Although soy infant formula has been consumed for a quarter of a century, the available human studies did not raise concerns. The panel, acknowledging insufficient human data exist to make definitive determinations, expressed little concern for adverse effects in neonates and infants who may consume up to 0.01–0.08 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day of genistein aglycone contained in soy formula.
As for exposure to genistein, the Expert Panel expressed negligible concern for reproductive and developmental effects in the general population. It concluded that animal studies using pure genistein are not an appropriate measure of the safety of soy food, and exposure to a concentrated source of genistein differs greatly from the blend of isoflavones in food that are metabolized in the body.
