My diet:

Soy protein concentrate

No E-numberGrains & floursOrigin: Plant
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Every diet

VeganYes

It is made from soybeans.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoYes

It is about 65% protein with very little carbohydrate.

Low-FODMAPNo

It is high in galacto-oligosaccharides, which come from the residual bean carbohydrate.

The short answer
Soy protein concentrate is soybean protein with most of the oil and some of the carbohydrate removed. It is about 65% protein, it is cheap and complete, and it is not a isolate: it still carries fiber and a beany flavor, and it is high in FODMAP.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberNone
Comes fromPlant
What it doesGrains & flours
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledSoy protein concentrate, Soy protein concentrate, food grade

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive
🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Soy protein concentrate is a food ingredient with no E-number. In the United States it is defined by the FDA standard for soybean flour and it is one of the forms in which soy protein is permitted in infant formula, with separate limits for the concentrate and the isolate.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The concentrate is what you get before the extra processing that makes an isolate. It still contains roughly 65% protein, a little fat, and enough of the bean carbohydrate and fiber to make it a different ingredient in practice. It has a noticeably stronger bean flavor than an isolate, it disperses less cleanly in liquid, and it gels more when it is heated, which is useful in meat products. Its GOS content is high enough that it is one of the ingredients to watch on a low-FODMAP diet.

Where it comes from: Soybeans are cracked, dehulled and flaked, and the protein is separated from the oil and the fiber by washing in water. The result is a pale powder that still carries a little fat and a lot of fiber.

Why it’s in food

  • Meat extenders
  • Protein fortification
  • Soups and sauces
  • Infant formula
  • Vegetarian meat

Often found in

SausagesSoupsSaucesProtein barsInfant formulaVegetarian meat

Also listed as: Soy protein concentrate, Soy protein concentrate, food grade, Full-fat soy protein concentrate, Defatted soy protein concentrate, Soy protein concentrate 65, SPC

Health & gut impact

Protein qualityBenefit

Soy protein is a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids and it scores well on the digestibility-corrected measures of protein quality. A 30 gram serving of concentrate supplies around 20 grams of protein, which is one of the cheapest complete proteins available.

FAO, Protein Quality Evaluation in Human Nutrition (2013)

Concentrate against isolateUnder study

The concentrate keeps around 30% of the bean's carbohydrate and fiber and a little of the oil, while the isolate has those removed. That is why the isolate dissolves cleanly in water and tastes milder, and why the two are not interchangeable in a formula.

US FDA, guidance on soy protein ingredients

GOS and low-FODMAP dietsUnder study

Soy protein concentrate is high in galacto-oligosaccharides, and a modest serving is enough to trigger symptoms for someone on a low-FODMAP diet. Soy protein isolate is low FODMAP because the responsible carbohydrates are removed, which is why the two are treated differently in the Monash app.

Monash University, Department of Gastroenterology, low-FODMAP diet app and resources

What can I use instead?

Soy protein isolate

Ratio: Use a similar weight; it dissolves more easily

Best for: Clear drinks and low-FODMAP diets

Pea protein

Ratio: Use a similar weight

Best for: A different source for the same protein

Related

More grains & flours:

BuckwheatBuckwheat is not wheat at all, and it is safe for celiac disease because it contains no gluten. It is high in rutin and magnesium, it is used for soba noodles and kasha, and in Europe it has to be labeled as such so it is not mistaken for a wheat product.Generally safeCouscousCouscous is rolled durum wheat semolina, so it is wheat in another shape and it contains gluten. It cooks in minutes and it is high in fructans, which puts it near the top of the low-FODMAP cut list.Generally safeDurum wheatDurum wheat is the hard wheat behind pasta, semolina and couscous, and it is safe as a whole grain. It contains gluten, so it is out for celiac disease, and it is a wheat grain like any other.Generally safeMilletMillet is a small-seeded grass, eaten as a porridge or as a rice substitute. It is naturally gluten-free, cheap, quick to cook and low FODMAP in a normal serving, and it holds onto its texture better than most grains when reheated.Generally safe

Common questions

What is the difference between soy protein concentrate and isolate?

Concentrate is about 65% protein and still has some carbohydrate, fiber and oil in it. Isolate is about 90% protein with those removed, which makes it dissolve cleanly and taste milder.

Is soy protein concentrate low FODMAP?

No. It is high in galacto-oligosaccharides, and even a modest serving can cause symptoms. Soy protein isolate is the low-FODMAP version of the same ingredient.

Is soy protein concentrate a complete protein?

Yes. Soy protein contains all nine essential amino acids and is one of the few plant proteins that is considered complete, which is why it is used so widely in plant-based meat and in formula.

Is Soy protein concentrate safe?

Use in moderation (79/100). Soy protein concentrate is a food ingredient with no E-number. In the United States it is defined by the FDA standard for soybean flour and it is one of the forms in which soy protein is permitted in infant formula, with separate limits for the concentrate and the isolate.

Is Soy protein concentrate vegan?

Yes. It is made from soybeans.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • FAO, Protein Quality Evaluation in Human Nutrition (2013)
  • US FDA, guidance on soy protein ingredients
  • Monash University, Department of Gastroenterology, low-FODMAP diet app and resources