I have been happily using Blue Diamond unsweetened almond milk ever since I was diagnosed soy intolerant 4 months ago. Unfortunately for me, I stopped checking the labels for ingredients, & only
today did I learn that it does contain soy lecithin now. I have no idea when they started adding it,
but I'm mad because it was a product I had really been enjoying. I wrote them a complaint letter
today, so we'll see what they say.

Anyway, I just needed to vent, as well as to let everyone else who might be using this product know
about the changes.

Horsegirl

P.S. Merry Christmas!

Pacific did the same thing; their almond milk used to be soy-free, but now it contains soy lecithin. (I've been meaning to write them a letter, but haven't gotten around to it yet.) Fortunately, Pacific's hazelnut milk is still soy-free, and I sure hope it stays that way! I've also been using Living Harvest's hemp milk, which is gluten/dairy/soy-free.


Jeanne

some soymilk (edensoy, and possibly others) even has wheat and barley ingredients, as does rice dream! geez, why is it so tough to deal w/ celiac plus other intolerances? although for me it's only dairy, soy must be really awful as it's in everything...

Yeah, I noticed that too- why put soy into almond milk? If I could handle soy I'd be buying soymilk to begin with!

I still use coconut milk (comes in cans and is thick like cream, not easily pourable like milk) and I'm thinking of making my own almond milk from almond butter and water in the blender. I haven't tried it yet, but I did put a spoonful of almond butter into my coffee- the taste was good but it wasn't smooth and creamy.

Yes, these companies are pretty idiotic to put soy in their milks. Obviously the reason most people are paying much more for a much smaller amount of product is that they cannot have soy milk.

Well, I heard back from Blue Diamond this morning about their Almond Breeze product. Either I totally missed "soy" in the ingredients all these months (which I doubt) or it wasn't labeled.

Here's their response:
Good Morning -

Thank you for contacting Blue Diamond Growers with your questions and concerns.

First, I must clarify that the soy lecithin has always been an ingredient in all of our Almond Breeze beverages and has always been included in the ingredient labeling of this product (as soy is a common allergen and we are required by law to list it).

Soybeans are a major allergen under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. The question has been asked whether the soy lecithin contained in Almond Breeze is considered an allergen. The answer is Yes.

· In the production of soy lecithin most of the soy allergen protein fractions are removed, but soy lecithin does contain trace amounts of these proteins.
· We use less than 0.1% by weight of soy lecithin in Breeze.
· Expert opinion from FARRP states that the amount of soy protein remaining in soy lecithin is not sufficient to cause allergic reactions in the majority of soy allergic individuals.
· FDA in their guidance for industry document states that soy lecithin contains very small amounts of soy protein and is generally used in small amounts and is aware of only a few related allergen complaints regarding soy lecithin.
· Some allergists believe that soy lecithin presents little or no allergic risk to most soy sensitive consumers and do not advise their patients to avoid soy lecithin.
· There is a risk that some of the more soy sensitive consumers might react to the soy protein present in soy lecithin.
· Soy allergic consumers should consult with their physician regarding consumption of soy lecithin.
· FDA's current position is that soy lecithin must be labeled as an allergen.

As a side note the function of soy lecithin in Breeze is to emulsify the oil in the almonds and make the texture creamy. Without soy lecithin Breeze is not as smooth or creamy.
I hope that this information is helpful; however, if I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Deborah Sommers
Consumer Advocate
Marketing Department