When is it appropriate to use the term “soybeans” versus a synonym in food labeling?
Packaged foods that are made using soybeans as an ingredient or as a component of a multi-component ingredient (e.g., soy sauce or tofu) should continue to use the word “soybeans” as the appropriate common or usual name for this ingredient to identify properly the ingredient (e.g., “soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)”). • May the singular term “peanut” be substituted for the plural term “peanuts,” and may the singular terms (e.g., almond, pecan, or walnut) be used to describe the different types of “tree nuts” (e.g., almonds, pecans, or walnuts) to satisfy the labeling requirements of FALCPA? Yes. FDA believes that “peanut” is an acceptable substitute for “peanuts” and that the names of the different types of tree nuts may be expressed in either the singular or plural form for the purpose of satisfying the FALCPA labeling requirements. • May a “Contains” statement on a food label provided in accordance with FALCPA list only the names of the food sources of the major food allergen
