Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass: authorised novel food in the EU

Conditions of use and maximum levels

Table 1, column "Conditions under which the novel food may be used", as written:

• Food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC, excluding food supplements for infants and young children: 6 g/day for children from 10 years of age, adolescents and general adult population 3 g/day for children from 3 to 9 years of age
• Meal replacements for weight control for the adult population: 3 g/meal (maximum 2 meals/day up to a maximum of 6 g/day)
• Foods for special medical purposes as defined in Regulation (EU) No 609/2013: In accordance with the particular nutritional requirements of the persons for whom the products are intended but not in any case higher than 6 g/day
• Total diet replacement for weight control as defined in Regulation (EU) No 609/2013: 6 g/day
• Unflavoured milk products: 5 g/kg
• Flavoured fermented milk products: 10 g/kg
• Cheese and cheese products; (excluding desserts): 10 g/kg
• Nut spreads: 30 g/kg
• Processed potato products: 10 g/kg
• Cocoa and chocolate confectionary: 10 g/kg
• Grains and breakfast cereals: 20 g/kg
• Pasta based products and noodles: 10 g/kg
• Pre-cooked or processed cereals: 10 g/kg
• Bread and rolls: 6 g/kg
• Fine bakery wares: 15 g/kg
• Heat-treated meat products: 15 g/kg
• Herbs and spices; seasonings and condiments: 50 g/kg
• Soups and broths: 5 g/kg
• Sauces: 10 g/kg
• Salads and savoury based sandwich spreads: 30 g/kg
• Yeast and yeast products: 30 g/kg
• Protein products, excluding dairy analogues and beverage whiteners: 30 g/kg
• Flavoured drinks: 10 g/l
• Coffee, coffee extracts: 20 g/kg
• Other non-alcoholic beverages: 10 g/l
• Potato-, cereal-, flour- or starch-based snacks: 300 g/kg
• Processed nuts: 20 g/kg

Additional specific labelling requirements

1. The designation of the novel food on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it shall be ‘Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass’. 2. Food supplements containing the novel food should bear a statement that they should not be consumed if other foods with added Yarrowia lipolytica yeast biomass are consumed on the same day.

Specification (Table 2)

Table 2 of the Annex, row with the same name, as written:

Description/Definition:

The novel food is the dried and heat-killed biomass of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

Characteristics/Composition:

Protein: 45-55 g/100 g

Dietary fibre: 24-30 g/100 g

Sugars: < 1 g/100 g

Fat: 7-10 g/100 g

Total ash: ≤ 12 %

Water content: ≤ 5 %

Dry matter content: ≥ 95 %

Microbiological criteria:

Total Aerobic Microbial Count: ≤ 5 × 103 CFU/g

Total Yeast and Mould Count: ≤ 102 CFU/g

Viable Yarrowia lipolytica cells(a): < 10 CFU/g (i.e. limit of detection)

Coliforms: ≤ 10 CFU/g

Salmonella spp.: Not detected in 25 g

Contaminants:

Lead: ≤ 0,1 mg/kg

Mercury: ≤ 0,1 mg/kg

Cadmium: ≤ 0,1 mg/kg

Arsenic: ≤ 0,15 mg/kg

Abbreviations: CFU, colony forming units

(a) To be tested immediately after the heat-treatment step. Measures have to be in place to prevent cross-contamination with viable Y. lipolytica cells during packaging and/or storage of the novel food

Source and version

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, Annex, Union list of novel foods, Table 1. Consolidated text of 10 August 2026. The text above is copied from that document without change except that amendment markers are removed. It is not advice and it does not decide whether a particular product is covered.

• Consolidated text on EUR-Lex

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