Yeast Extract

Yeast Extract as an ingredient. For or against?

So this is one of the common sources of 'hidden gluten', and one of the ingredients that Coeliac UK deem ok as an ingredient (within the 20ppm), yet their own website's instruction on yeast extract is as clear as mud (coeliac.org.uk/information-....

Other websites suggest yeast extract as an ingredient can only be deemed gluten free if labelled that it comes from a gluten free source (beyondceliac.org/gluten-fre..., which of course under our standard food labelling laws in UK, doesn't have to happen.

So, bit of a straw poll on where do you stand on Yeast Extract as an ingredient in food products (e.g. crisps):

1) can you tolerate it in foods (have no reaction) or;

2) do you have a reaction to products containing it or;

3) have you come across any foods that actually label if their yeast extract comes from a gluten free source?

To use my own example on this, I've had coeliac reaction to Seabrooks Crisps. The only one I would risk trying was the plain salted ones (potato, oil, sea salt). Got gluten reaction. They claim all their crisps/products are gluten free, but most varieties do contain yeast extract. So, if yeast extract deemed to be within codex but still is causing cross-contamination (I'm surmissing), what's going on.

[MTCee]

I’m sorry to hear you have problems with seabrooks crisps. They are one of the few brands I’m ok with. It can be quite a challenge to track down what you’re reacting to. Can you tolerate products like marmite or vegemite? I’m ok with vegemite but I only eat it occasionally, in tiny amounts, on homemade gf bread.

[Hidden in reply to MTCee]

Hi, no have not actually tried marmite or vegemite since I cut gluten out almost ten years ago. I think they were not something I had anyway, so didn't feel I was missing out. Seabrooks I use to be ok with, but my tolerance fell off the edge about two years ago for any processed GF products. Loved Seabrooks, particularly the prawn cocktail! I've contacted the company to see if they can tell me about the yeast extract source, and what's what with the plain crisps.

[Kim1950]

Buy a different brand. I have had no problems with supermarket own brand plain crisps. But there again I'm OK with Marmite. Yeast extract is a by-product of the brewing industry. They used to feed it to pigs until the 19th century when Justus von Liebig developed a way to process the yeast left over from brewing beer. The process used would probably render any gluten harmless but there again some may get through. If you react to it leave it alone.

[Hidden in reply to Kim1950]

That's a good history lesson. You've done your research! The worry is that gluten can't actually be rendered harmless - it will still be there, just in a lesser level/negligible level. Nothing really renders gluten harmless, even the enzyme process in GF beers that's meant to break it down to harmless level. It's all to do with individual tolerance level it seems. What's ok for one, won't be for another. No brand of crisps are ok for me anymore, not even the plain ones with just seasalt and nothing else. Gonna have to make my own I think.

[Penel]

Hi Mise

I had to cut out yeasty type foods many years ago. Don’t know if a gluten thing or just a yeast thing.

[Hidden in reply to Penel]

One for the gluten x-files - the truth is out there, but we may never know!

[Hidden]

I'm not certain I'm coeliac as I refused to eat gluten for 6 weeks but my son is so chances are I'm celiac too.

My gut doesn't like Seabrook crisps but also Kettle chips. I don't think it's the crisps per sae but the sunflower oil. I wish someone would make crisps in olive oil!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's quite interesting. I can't have Kettle Crisps either. I have just been assuming gluten cross contamination/yeast extract, but did wonder about the oil. I actually checked Seabrooks to see if they used rapeseed which I've heard can be bit dodgey, but they use sunflower. So, interesting angle to look at there also. Are there any crisps that your are ok with?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No because they're all fried in sunflower oil. It's a very processed oil. I only cook with olive oil. I'm fine with that.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's a shame. I was hoping you were going to have some golden answer of a suitable brand of crisps! Just proves my theory - going to have to make my own.

[Penel in reply to Hidden]

You could try making kale crisps for an interesting change!

[Hidden in reply to Penel]

Now there's an idea. Have you made these?

[Penel in reply to Hidden]

Yes. A bit of a faff and easy to burn, but if you’ve got time on your hands and fancy a challenge... Tasted good ( the ones that weren’t burnt )

[Hidden in reply to Penel]

Yes, not burning stuff is not one of my strong point, but I'm up for the challenge. If they're any good, I'll post a picture.

[Hidden]

I would avoid. Difficult to find a brand of crisps, even gluten free brands, that don't have yeast extract. Our food manufacturers sadly lack imagination and take their lead from those who are woefully ill-informed/more concerned about turning a profit than good health. I find the plain one's ok from the Kettle brand, but have not tried Seabrooks.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[freelancer]

I’m not a diagnosed coeliac but have been gluten free for years and I can’t tolerate yeast extract (which is a shame as I was a huge Marmite fan before), so have only had ready salted crisps for the past decade or so. I was OK with Seabrooks salted ones, though, last time I tried. You can buy jars of gluten-free yeast extract, which is apparently made with sugar beet. I wasn’t all that keen on it, but it would be nice if they started putting it in crisps!

[Hidden in reply to freelancer]

Hi, thanks for updating on that. Good you can still have the plain crisps. Might keep a look out for the non-yeast extract subsitute. Sounds interesting.