Frequent Asked Questions

The following products are FODMAP certified:

Tamari Soy Sauces and Shoyu (full line is approved)
Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce 
Gluten Free Reduced Sodium Tamari Soy Sauce 
Gluten Free Lite Tamari Soy Sauce – 50% 
Organic Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce 
Organic Gluten Free Reduced Sodium Tamari Soy Sauce 
Organic Shoyu

Asian Cooking Sauces (5 of 8 are approved)
Gluten Free Szechuan Sauce 
Gluten Free Thai Peanut Sauce 
Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce 
Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce 
Gluten Free Mongolian Sauce 

Brown Rice Crackers (full line is approved)
Tamari Black Sesame Brown Rice Crackers (Gluten Free)
Tamari Brown Sesame Brown Rice Crackers (Gluten Free)
Teriyaki Sesame Brown Rice Crackers (Gluten Free)

Tamari is a premium Japanese soy sauce. 

The major difference between Tamari and regular soy sauce is the proportion of ingredients between soybeans and wheat. While regular soy sauce contains 40-60% wheat, San-J Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce is made with 100% soybeans and no wheat. While the sodium level of San-J Tamari and regular soy sauce is the same, the higher concentration of soybeans in San-J Tamari gives a richer, smoother, more complex taste than ordinary soy sauce.

San-J Tamari is brewed and aged for up to six months using Japanese brewing methods handed down through eight generations.

Yes. San-J Tamari and Shoyu are fermented for up to six months. Only San-J’s fermentation process can create its rich, complex taste.

All San-J Tamari and Shoyu soy sauces are pasteurized. We do so to stop the fermentation process from continuing inside of each bottle of Tamari or Shoyu - otherwise, it could lead to off-flavors and harsh aromas and also create gases. We use the pasteurization method to maintain the best quality of our sauce as long as possible.

No. No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors are added to San-J products.

All San-J products, excluding White Miso Soup are vegetarian.

All San-J Gluten Free Tamari Soy Sauce, Shoyu, Wakame Soup, Teriyaki Crackers, Tamari Brown Sesame Crackers, Tamari Black Sesame Crackers are certified vegan. The brown sugar used in San-J sauces is produced without the use of bone char.

We do not add MSG, but there could be some naturally occurring during the fermentation.

During fermentation, the protein in the soybeans is broken down to polypeptide chains and amino acids. The main amino acid we obtain is glutamic acid. Since the soybeans are fermented in a high salt brine solution, there could be some interaction of glutamic acid with sodium, creating some naturally occurring MSG (monosodium glutamate). Naturally occurring MSG can be found in many natural foods that have a rich flavor, such as cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Yes. San-J Organic Gluten Free Tamari (Gold Label), Organic Gluten Free Reduced Sodium Tamari (Platinum Label) and Organic Shoyu (Bronze Label) are certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI) and USDA Organic.

San-J Tamari, Shoyu, Gluten Free Asian Cooking Sauce and Salad Dressing products are all certified kosher by Orthodox Union.

San-J participates in the Non-GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org). Our Tamari, Shoyu, Cooking Sauces, and Rice Crackers are Non-GMO verified. 

*Look for a Non-GMO Project seal on the label.

San-J brews Tamari and Shoyu soy sauces in the USA. We blend it with Tamari and Shoyu made in Japan when necessary for Tamari (Black label), Reduced Sodium Tamari (White label), Tamari Lite 50% Less Sodium and Organic Shoyu. Everything we receive from Japan is tested for radiation prior to accepting it for use at San-J.