Is textured soy flour vegan?

Textured soy flour is a defatted soy protein product manufactured into structured shapes to provide texture in food. It is derived from whole soybeans. Production begins by cleaning, dehulling, and flaking the beans, followed by extracting the soybean oil, typically using solvent extraction or mechanical pressing. The remaining defatted soy flour is mixed with water, subjected to high heat and pressure, and pushed through an extruder die. As it exits the machine, the sudden drop in pressure causes moisture to vaporize rapidly, expanding the protein into a porous, chewy matrix that is cut and dried. Food manufacturers use textured soy flour primarily in plant-based meat alternatives, canned soups, chili, taco seasonings, processed meat extenders, and snack foods.

textured soy flour is vegan because it is produced exclusively from plant matter. The physical, thermal, and extrusion processes used to manufacture the ingredient rely entirely on soy derivatives and water, requiring no animal tissues, animal byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids.