Iodine is an important (essential) nutrient. A cup (I am trying to ascertain how many mL the “cup” refers to) of Bonsoy contains up to 7x the daily recommended upper limit for iodine intake.
From Aus Food News:
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.
Read more:
Heck! That is really bothersome. So soy milk is what has done it to me again! Not impressed. I also like sea vegetables but don’t eat kombu. I wonder is nori roll seaweed okay?
Also, do you know if there a brand of soy milk in Australia that is okay and does not have canola oil in it?
Sorry that others are also suffering with thyrotoxicosis. It is certainly a highly uncomfortable condition and very frightening. I am no longer sure I will make it this time. This is round two for me. The first was fourteen years ago when I began drinking soy milk. It took three years to get normal.
Radha, I think Pure Harvest might be worth looking at?
Unfortunately, as opposed to cow’s milk which is 100% milk only, these soy milks all seem to have fillers and other ingredients to make them palatable (to me, this indicates they are not intended to be consumed as milk).
Apart from maybe rice or almond milk, if you’re set on (or have to be) being a vegan, and if it’s the soy milk, you might have to give it up.
The new Bonsoy is supposed to be free of kombu, though. I don’t know if I trust them, or the testing, though, given what has happened.
I am not sure on the nori roll question, have you check it out on the web?
Don’t give up!
It has to be pointed out that the Japanese on average consume about 13.5 mg of iodine on a daily basis and are amongst the healthiest people on the planet , they are accustomed absorbing this amount , westerners are not , for westerners to absorb this amount it has to be done gradually over months gradually increasing the amount .
For example I started six months ago on 150 mcg and now I consume 12.5 mg or 12,500 mcg daily and I have none of the ailments people in the bonsoy case are complaining of , in fact I have never felt better in my life . I just had my blood tests back and my tsh T4 & T3 are at optimum levels .I have lots more energy and my thinking is a lot clearer .
For the body to develop the capacity to absorb iodine the TSH rises to develop this capacity , people confuse this rise with hypothyroidism , there is nothing wrong with consuming a high amount of iodine , it is the most misunderstood element , I suggest googling iodine4health and also Guy Abrahams iodine
Anton
Anton. Are you an endocrinologist? If not, and you are not familiar with the medical files of the hundreds of people afflicted by this, I suggest further research is warranted on your behalf.
No one here needs to be told to Google more info.
Tim
you know id rather eat tofu than consume soya milk it tastes nicer
i always make almond milk just blanche of skins stick in blender
sieve with the finest sieve so it is less granule. Makes the best fruit smoothies
also you might want to add a little sea salt for taste till you get used to it
Thanks for your comment, but I’m not sure it is really germane to the intent of the site.
Tim
Anton, I feel the need to comment because your “advice” may put people at risk. If you actually read the articles linked on the iodine4health website that you mention, you will find dozens of articles by eminent specialists documenting the adverse effects that consumption of excess iodine can have (including in Japan). There is a vast body of medical opinion and international and national guidelines which make it clear that consuming more than 1,100ug of iodine daily increases the risk of thyroid illness.
Not everyone will get sick if they consume too much iodine. People’s tolerances to iodine vary greatly. You may be one of the people who can consume large amounts without adverse effects. If you are, that’s great. But do bear in mind that it can take several years for large doses of iodine to lead to thyroid illness (for example – an average of three years for amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis). So you may well reap the rewards of your irresponsible consumption of excessive doses of iodine in a few years.
I sincerely hope that you don’t induce anyone else to follow your example. Adequate iodine intake is essential for thyroid health. Excessive iodine intake is dangerous.