# Yeast, Dried Irradiated

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 977052-70-2
**Category:** nutrient
**FDA GRAS:** yes
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Yeast, Dried Irradiated is a nutrient supplement derived from dried yeast that has been treated with ionizing radiation to reduce microbial contamination. It is used in food products to provide B vitamins, proteins, and other essential nutrients.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Yeast, Dried Irradiated?

Yeast, Dried Irradiated is a food ingredient produced by drying yeast cells (typically Saccharomyces cerevisiae) followed by exposure to ionizing radiation. The irradiation process serves as a microbial control measure, reducing bacterial and fungal contamination without chemically altering the nutritional profile of the yeast. The resulting product is a shelf-stable, nutrient-dense ingredient that retains the beneficial compounds naturally present in yeast.

## Common Uses

This ingredient is primarily used as a nutrient fortification agent in various food products. Common applications include breakfast cereals, nutritional supplements, baking products, and savory food formulations. Dried irradiated yeast provides B-complex vitamins (including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), selenium, chromium, and amino acids. It is valued in food manufacturing for both its nutritional contribution and its umami flavor characteristics, making it suitable for use in broth-based products and seasoning blends. The irradiation treatment makes it particularly useful in products requiring extended shelf life or those destined for international markets with stringent microbial standards.

## Safety Assessment

Yeast, Dried Irradiated has been evaluated as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) ingredient by the FDA. The safety of the ingredient is supported by multiple factors: yeast has a long history of safe use in fermentation and food production; the irradiation process is a well-established food preservation technology that does not introduce radioactivity or significantly alter nutritional composition; and the dried form is microbiologically controlled, reducing pathogenic risk.

The FDA has recorded zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with this ingredient, indicating a strong safety profile in commercial use. Irradiation as a food processing technique has been extensively studied and approved by the FDA (21 CFR Part 179) for use on various food ingredients, including dried yeast, to control microorganisms.

Irradiation does not make food radioactive and leaves no harmful residues. The process may cause minor changes to some heat-sensitive nutrients, but dried yeast's primary nutritional components—B vitamins, minerals, and proteins—are largely stable under irradiation doses used for microbial control.

## Regulatory Status

Yeast, Dried Irradiated is GRAS-affirmed by the FDA for use as a nutrient supplement in foods. This classification means the ingredient is recognized by qualified experts as safe for its intended use based on scientific procedures and established safety data. In the European Union, irradiated ingredients including yeast are permitted under specific conditions outlined in EU Regulation 1999/3/EC, with each food irradiation facility requiring authorization.

The ingredient complies with the Food Chemicals Codex and meets standards for identity and purity established for dried yeast products. The irradiation treatment must be performed at regulated facilities meeting strict dose and safety specifications.

## Key Studies

Research on irradiated yeast demonstrates that ionizing radiation effectively reduces microbial populations while preserving nutritional integrity. Studies on irradiated food ingredients support the safety of this processing method when applied at approved doses (typically 10-50 kGy for dried ingredients). The nutritional composition of dried yeast—including its amino acid profile and B vitamin content—remains substantially unchanged after irradiation treatment at approved levels.

The long history of safe use of both dried yeast and food irradiation technology provides substantial evidence supporting the safety of this combined product. Regulatory bodies including the FDA, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), and international organizations like JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) have affirmed the safety of irradiated food ingredients.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Yeast, Dried Irradiated — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/yeast-dried-irradiated. Accessed 2026-05-20.