Hidden names for soya on ingredient labels
Soya travels under many names on food labels, from lecithin to edamame. Here is the list to learn so you can spot it every time.
Soya is one of the most widely used ingredients in processed food, which means it appears under a lot of different names.
The names to learn
Beyond “soya” and “soybean”, look for lecithin (often soya-derived), edamame, miso, tempeh, tofu, tamari, shoyu, natto, textured vegetable protein (TVP), and hydrolysed vegetable protein when it is soya-based.
Where soya hides
Soya is in bread, baked goods, chocolate, sauces, ready meals, and many “vegetarian” and “vegan” protein products where it stands in for meat. Lecithin, used as an emulsifier, is the single most common place soya appears on a label.
How to check fast
Scan the bold for soya, then read the full list for the aliases above - lecithin and TVP are the usual culprits. If you react to soya protein, note that highly refined soya oil and soya lecithin contain very little protein; whether you need to avoid them is a decision to make with your allergist, not from the label alone.
Get the free Allergen Label Decoder
One page for reading any food label fast: the hidden names, the "may contain" grey area, and what UK and US law must declare.
Common questions
Is soya lecithin a problem for a soya allergy?
Soya lecithin contains only tiny amounts of soya protein and many people with soya allergy tolerate it, but this is an individual matter - follow the advice of your allergist.
Is soya the same as soy?
Yes. 'Soya' (UK) and 'soy' (US) are the same thing, and both must be declared as the major allergen soya on UK labels.