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Yeast

Safe

Yeast is a foundational fermentation organism with thousands of years of safe food use. FDA recognizes baker's yeast and yeast derivatives as GRAS.

Found in

54,623 products

What it is

Single-celled fungus, primarily Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used in fermentation and baking. A whole-food microorganism with millennia of food use.

Leavening agent (CO2 release), fermentation (alcohol, flavor), nutritional additive (B-vitamins, protein).

Why it's flagged

Rare allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Should be avoided in patients on MAOI medications (yeast extracts contain tyramine)
Active dry yeast not suitable for those with yeast intolerance

What regulators actually say

"Bakers yeast extract is the food ingredient resulting from concentration of the solubles of mechanically ruptured cells of a selected strain of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae."

21 CFR 184.1983 — law.cornell.edu

Regulatory status

United States — FDA

GRAS — baker's yeast extract under 21 CFR 184.1983

European Union — EFSA

Authorized as food

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