Soy in the United Kingdom: label rules and introduction guidance

Is soy on the UK's list of 14 allergens?

Soybeans are one of the FSA's 14 allergens, usually written as 'soya' on UK labels. The retained EU entry exempts fully refined soybean oil and fat, natural tocopherols (E306) from soybean sources, phytosterols and phytosterol esters from soybean oil, and plant stanol ester from soybean sterols, because these are highly processed. Soya flour, soya protein, tofu and soya drinks must all be emphasised in the ingredient list, and a stir-fry packed in a supermarket's own kitchen for direct sale needs a full ingredient list showing soya.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) lists the same 14 allergens as the EU; the EU rules were kept when the UK left and are now assimilated law. On prepacked food, an allergen must be emphasised each time it appears in the ingredient list. Food prepacked for direct sale, packed on the same premises that sell it, needs a full ingredient list with allergens emphasised, the rule known as Natasha's Law since October 2021. Loose food still needs allergen information, given in writing or verbally with a clear written notice.

• Food Standards Agency: Allergen guidance for food businesses

What NHS guidance says about introducing soy

The NHS includes soya in its list of foods that can trigger allergic reactions, to be introduced one at a time from around 6 months so any reaction can be spotted. Unlike eggs, nuts, seeds and shellfish, it gives no special preparation note for soya. If your baby has a cows' milk allergy and you are thinking about soya-based products as an alternative, ask your GP first, since choosing a milk alternative for a baby is a decision to make with them.

In the UK, the NHS advises introducing the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time from around 6 months, so that you can spot any reaction. If your baby has eczema or there is a family history of allergy, the NHS suggests talking to your GP or health visitor first.

• NHS: Food allergies in babies and young children

Logging soy in the app

The UK and EU lists match, so UK families get the same 14-allergen schedule as the EU. In the schedule, soy appears as Soybeans. Each allergen entry moves from not started to introduced, cleared or reaction, and the 14-day window keeps new foods spaced out so a delayed reaction is easier to match to a food. Note the food, such as tofu or soy yoghurt, rather than just 'soy', so repeat offerings are easy to line up. If you see a symptom, log it with its severity; the paediatrician report gathers the dates into one PDF for your next appointment. It is a record for you and your doctor, not a diagnosis.