Is tempeh a major allergen?
Tempeh is soy, and soy must be named on food labels. Tempeh itself is not a separate entry on those lists.
Tempeh is declared under “Soybeans” on these lists.
| Allergen | US | UK and Europe | Gulf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soybeans | Required | Required | Required |
Sources checked 13 October 2026. All allergen guides
What are the other names for tempeh on a label?
On a label, tempeh can also appear as “Tempe”, “Tempe kedelai”, “Soy tempeh”, “Soybean tempeh” or “Tempeh bacon”.
Bravoora reads each of these as soy. Try the label checker · How Bravoora decides
Where is tempeh found?
- Vegan and vegetarian burgers, bacon alternatives and ready meals can be made with tempeh.
- Stir-fries, curries, bowls and salads use it as the protein.
- Indonesian dishes such as tempe goreng and tempe mendoan are fried tempeh.
- High-protein snacks and meal-prep boxes for muscle and weight goals can include it.
Which diets and allergies does tempeh fit?
For tempeh: a soy-allergy profile gets Not for you; a gluten-free profile gets Heads up; vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, peanut-allergy, sesame-allergy, egg-allergy and caffeine-free profiles get Fits you.
A packed product can still carry a “may contain” warning, so check the pack.
Does tempeh fit you?
Pick what applies to you:
Pick at least one to see your answer.
What is tempeh?
Tempeh is made by cooking soybeans and fermenting them with a mould (Rhizopus) until they bind into a firm, nutty cake. It comes from Java, Indonesia, where it is spelled tempe. Soy must be declared on labels in the US, the UK, the EU and the Gulf. Most tempeh is soybeans only, but some blends add grains such as barley or wheat, which bring gluten, and marinated tempeh often uses soy sauce made with wheat.
How does Bravoora check for tempeh?
Bravoora reads tempeh and tempe as soy, and reads any barley or wheat in the same list as gluten on its own.
More questions about tempeh
Who looks out for tempeh?
Tempeh matters most to people with a soy allergy, anyone whose profile avoids soy, and, for grain blends, anyone following a gluten-free profile.
Is tempeh gluten-free?
It depends. Most tempeh is soybeans only, but some blends add barley or wheat.
Does tempeh fit a soy allergy profile?
No. It is fermented soybeans.
Is tempeh vegan?
Yes. It is made from soybeans.
Sources and how to cite this guide
- US FDA: Food allergies
- UK Food Standards Agency: Allergen guidance
- Health Canada: Common food allergens
- European Union: Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, Annex II
- US FDA: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergen Labeling, Edition 5 (January 2025)
- FARE: Update to FDA guidance for food allergen labeling (tree nuts and coconut, January 2025)
- GCC Standardization Organization: GSO 9:2022, labelling of prepackaged food (current edition)
- GCC Standardization Organization: GSO 9/2013 English text, clause 5.2.5 (the allergen list as published)
- FAO/WHO international food labelling standard (CXS 1-1985, revised 2024)
To cite this guide: Bravoora, “Tempeh on a food label: it means soy”, bravoora.app/ingredients/tempeh/, updated 13 October 2026.
Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us.
General information, not medical advice. Rules differ by country and products change, so always check the pack.
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