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THE FACTS.

Rounded global means from Poore & Nemecek (2018), Data S2 (XLS). Equal protein, not equal food weight. CO₂e combines greenhouse gases into a common measure. Percentages use unrounded values.

One swap, at scale

If one million Americans replaced a poultry portion supplying 25 grams of protein with tofu once a week for a year, these averages imply about 48,000 metric tonnes of CO₂e lower annual supply-chain emissions.

Our illustration, not a U.S. forecast: (5.6986 − 1.975) × 25/100 × 52 × 1,000,000 ÷ 1,000. Assumes replacement, not extra food; excludes wider market responses.

Food-grade is the useful term.

Food-grade soybeans are selected and handled for food makers’ requirements, including protein, flavor and traceability. Soybean meal used in livestock feed is a co-product of oil extraction. The environmental comparison concerns food-production pathways; bean grade alone does not establish an environmental benefit.

University of Minnesota Extension · 2022
USDA ERS · Soybean meal and oil markets

What the numbers can tell us

These historical global averages cover production through retail. The underlying studies were published in 2000–June 2016, with observations centered around 2010. Cooking and household waste are excluded. Products and producers vary; tofu’s factor does not describe every soy food. Equal protein is not complete nutritional equivalence.

Estimating an actual U.S. transition would require U.S. sourcing, diets, adoption and replacement data. Supporting American growers is our mission; U.S. origin alone is not proof of a lower footprint.

Study scope and methods · Supplementary materials (PDF)