Here are three main types of yeast found in food and whether you can eat them on a gluten free diet. Yeast extract and autolyzed yeast extract may contain gluten from barley.
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Update july 29 2014.
Is yeast extract gluten free. Yeast extract we re told we either love it or hate it. Yeast can also be used in food some are naturally gluten free and some you ll need to check the ingredients list to make sure it s suitable for a gluten free diet. As a former restaurant chef what that restaurant did regarding the chips is inexcusable.
Based on testing done by gluten free watchdog i would like to reiterate that it is my recommendation that individuals with gluten related disorders avoid products not labeled gluten free containing the ingredients yeast extract or autolyzed yeast extract unless the source is confirmed. My current recommendation when either yeast extract or autolyzed yeast extract is listed as an ingredient in foods not labeled gluten free is to contact the manufacturer and ask whether spent yeast from beer manufacturing is the source. In some cases the yeast extract is a leftover from the brewing process if the product is labeled gluten free then it is not barley derived.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the source of yeast extract on the ingredients label so you should only use yeast extract that is labeled gluten free or confirmed gluten free by the manufacturer. Yeast extract may not be safe when it s included as an ingredient in foods that aren t specifically labeled gluten free. One of these days labeling will catch up completely.
Brewer s yeast which many people also take as a nutritional supplement most often contains gluten there are a few brewer s yeast products on the market that are gluten free see below.
