Soup Packet: Shoyu Powder

Shoyu powder is a dehydrated form of soy sauce. It is made by spray-drying liquid soy sauce, often with the addition of ingredients like maltodextrin to improve its powder form and shelf life. This process concentrates the savory, umami flavor of soy sauce into a convenient powder.

Manufacturers use shoyu powder to add a concentrated soy sauce flavor to dry food products without adding extra liquid. It is commonly found in seasoning packets for instant noodles, soups, marinades, and snack seasonings. Its powder form makes it easy to blend evenly into dry mixes.

Shoyu powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a flavoring agent. It is a source of sodium, and high sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure in some individuals. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated soy sauce and its components. Evidence on the health effects of shoyu powder at typical consumption levels is mixed, with some studies suggesting potential benefits from fermented soy products, while others highlight concerns related to sodium content.