Soya lecithin in children with delayed soya allergy
What it found
In a small trial in children with a delayed gut reaction to soya, most children did not react to soya lecithin eaten in biscuits.
One child had a slight reaction to the lecithin.
What they found
Studies in people
Reactions reported
Parents reported reactions in six cases: five to the placebo and one to the soya lecithin. The authors say there was no statistical difference between the groups.
One slight reaction
One child with a non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal allergy had a slight reaction to soya lecithin.
Children who took part
Twenty-two children were recruited, 16 boys, with a median age of 44 months (range 21 to 58 months). Only 20 completed the full study.
Other foods avoided
The median number of foods avoided in addition to soya was 3.
What the authors conclude
“Although single cases may react to soya lecithin, we suggest that soya lecithin should be included in children with this delayed allergy, unless they have a confirmed reaction to traces of soya within this emulsifier.”
Also in their conclusions
- They suggest that soya lecithin should be included in children with this delayed allergy, unless they have a confirmed reaction to traces of soya within this emulsifier.
- They note that although single cases may react to soya lecithin, one child in this study had a slight reaction.
How it was done
Soya lecithin is used in many foods children eat. Children with delayed allergies who already avoid milk and soya would have a much more limited diet if they also had to avoid soya lecithin.
Twenty-two children aged 8 months to 5 years with confirmed non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal soya allergy took part. They were randomly given either soya lecithin (1.5 g per day) or a placebo in a biscuit for 1 week, then after a 1-week washout switched to the other for 1 week. Parents recorded symptoms before the study and at the end of each week.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a small trial with 20 children completing it, so the results may not apply to all children with this allergy.
- The trial lasted only 1 week for each period, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Teachers College of Columbia University, USA; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK
The paper
- Title
- Tolerance of soya lecithin in children with non-immunoglobulin E-mediated soya allergy: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Gholmie Y, Lozinsky AC, Godwin H, et al (2020). Tolerance of soya lecithin in children with non-immunoglobulin E-mediated soya allergy: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. doi:10.1111/jhn.12708PubMed 31603281DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error