Soy products: Example of a common food allergy

Soy

It is not known how often soy allergy occurs. What is known is that especially young children with atopic eczema can develop soy allergy. After removing soy from their diet for one to two years, these children appear to be able to tolerate soy again. Children with eczema and suspected food allergy have a 1-4% chance of developing soy allergy. Adults are less likely to have a soy allergy:

• soybeans;
• soy flour;
• soy bran (okara);
• soybean nuts;
• soy protein hydrolysate;
• isoflavones;
• soya lecithin (E322) and unrefined soya oil;
• soy milk;
• soy sauce;
• soy sauce;
• tamari;
• meat substitutes;
• tofu / tofu / soy cheese;
• tempeh;
• seitan;
• margarines;
• mixed meat products;
• salads;
• snacks;
• (filled) chocolate;
• ice cream;
• biscuits;
• satay;
• sauces;
• soups;
• sweets;
• ready-made meals;
• chiang (spice paste);

• miso (spice paste);
• toa-tjoseitan;
• yuba;
• natto;
• hoisin.

Soy allergy symptoms: Consumption of soy can cause all kinds of allergic reactions. In oral allergy syndrome (OAS), complaints occur in the mouth and throat: usually within minutes

• Small vesicles;
• swelling;
• redness;
• itching;
• tingling of mouth, itching.

Respiratory complaints manifest themselves as:

• inflamed nasal mucosa;
• Coughing or tickling cough;
• sneezing;
• audible or wheezing;
• tightness of the chest;
• mucus formation;
• asthma.

Symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract are manifested as:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• colic or intestinal cramps;
• inflammations of the oesophagus, stomach lining;
• diarrhoea;
• constipation;
• sometimes mucus or blood in stool.

Skin complaints may include:

• hives (urticaria) acute or chronic;
• hives; this is the most acute reaction with intense itching;
• Atopic eczema;
• fluid accumulation under the skin; when you draw lines on the skin, they remain visible.

Angioedema can occur all over the body, with localised fluid accumulation in the face: especially under the eyes, on the lips and in the cheeks (cheek pouches). In the throat area, life-threatening glottisoedema can occur. This severely impedes breathing.Anaphylaxis, severe general reactions throughout the body, manifests as:

• Initial tingling in mouth, throat, cheeks or tongue;
• Local hives (urticaria);
• Then reactions in many organs;
• often with predominant severe asthma;
• finally, a drop in blood pressure;
• shock.

Points of attention: 

• Bread improver may contain soya;
• Acid hydrolysed soy protein should be indicated as containing soybean;
• Soy lecithin may be used in margarine, low-fat margarine and vegetable fat;
• In chocolate, lecithin is often used, in many cases soy lecithin.