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Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies: Soy Allergies

ID

FST-200NP

Authors as Published

Joell Eifert, Extension Specialist, Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech; Abigail Villalba, Extension Specialist, Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Remember to ALWAYS read food labels carefully and watch for hidden allergens. Hidden allergens are ingredients derived from or containing major food allergens with common names that may be unfamiliar to consumers. Foods or ingredients to AVOID if allergic to soy: (This is not an exhaustive list.)

Margarines 

Meat substitutes 

Miso

Soy 

Soybeans

Soy-based infant formulas 

Soy flour

Soy milk 

Soy nuts

Soy protein isolate (can be found in many seasonings)

Soy sauce

Tamari (soy) sauce 

Tempeh

Teriyaki sauce

Texturized vegetable protein 

Tofu

Vegetable gum 

Vegetable starch

Note: Most commercial soybean oil is highly refined and most allergenic proteins have been removed. However, if the words “cold-pressed” or “expeller-pressed” are on the label to describe the oil, the allergens may have not been removed and the oil should be avoided. Calling the manufacturer may be the only way to know definitively if the protein has been removed.

Substitutes

Meat

Other grain flours (other than soy flour)

Other vegetable oils

Alternative food sources that provide important nutrients if avoiding soy

Protein: meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, dried beans (other than soybean), nut butters


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Publication Date

February 3, 2021