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 SOY - The Facts
1) Like peanuts, soybeans are also a member of the legume family. Though soy and peanut proteins are very similar, if you are allergic to one, you may not be allergic to both. It's always best to check with your doctor if you are unsure.
2) Research indicates most people with even a severe soy allergy can safely ingest soybean oil and soy lecithin.
3) Studies show soy allergies form at a young age and are often outgrown by age three.
4) The Federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) require soy to be listed on the label of any food product containing soy ingredients; soybean oil is exempt from U.S. labeling laws.
5) Many packaged foods, including various brands of chocolate chips, cookies, and crackers are manufactured on the same equipment used to process products containing soy.
6) Soy is sometimes used as an ingredient in soups, packaged broth, margarine, packaged meats, au jus, and breakfast cereals.
Tips and Tricks for Battling Soy Allergies:
1) An allergic reaction can be caused by three different methods: direct contact, cross-contamination, or inhalation of soy particles.
Direct contact could be caused by ingesting soy after forgetting to read a label or ingredient list. Cross-contamination happens when your food is cooked on the same surface as food containing soy. The risk of both happening is significantly higher at vegan, vegetarian, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai restaurants, certain coffee shops, or anywhere else a predominance of soy is served.
Inhalation may be common in close proximity to foods such as hot soy beverages, freshly cooked tofu, or anywhere soy products are being cooked.
Ingredients and Foods Containing Soy:
1) Textured Vegetable Protein
2) Vegetable protein
3) Binder
4) Miso
5) Soy lecithin; though studies show this is generally considered safe
6) Teriyaki
Other Adverse Effects of Soy:
1) The American Heart Association reversed its endorsement of soy products in January of 2006.
2) The French Food Agency may require a warning to be listed on all soy products to help consumers become aware of the adverse effects of soy. Studies have shown soy can pose serious health risks to children under three, those with hypothyroidism, and women with a family history of breast cancer. [1]
3) A 1992 study states that infants fed soy formula had 13,000 to 22,000 times more estrogen in their blood that babies fed only milk formula. [2]
4) 1992 toxicology reports indicate infants exclusively fed soy formula are receiving the equivalent of three to five birth control pills. [3]
5) In 2005, the Israeli Health Ministry concluded eating too much soy would cause citizens to experience a lack of conception. The ministry also warned not to feed babies soy formula, children up to age 18 should not consume soy more than once a week, and stated adults should be aware of the possibility of infertility and breast cancer. [4]
[1] Press Release, AFSSA (Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments (French Food Safety Agency), March 9, 2005,Translation available online at www.soyonlineservice.co.nz.
[2] (Setchell KDR, Zimmer-Nechemias L et al. Isoflavone content of infant formulas and the metabolic fate of these phytoestrogens in early life. Am J Clin Nutr, 1998, 69 (suppl) 1453S-61S.)
[3] (Office of the Swiss Federal Health Service Bulletin #28, July 20, 1992.)
[4] (Siegel-Itzkovich J. Health committee warns of potential dangers of soya. BMJ, 2005, July 30, 331, 7511, 254)
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