Selenium yeast
Selenium yeast suppliers and sourcing guide
Selenium yeast is baker's or brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, grown in a medium containing an inorganic selenium source so the cells take up selenium and build most of it into selenomethionine and other organic forms. The yeast is then washed, heat-inactivated and dried to a tan powder standardized to a stated selenium content. Brands buy it for tablets, capsules and multivitamin premixes, and some suppliers also sell it diluted with carriers.
- Category
- Vitamins and minerals
- Also known as
- Selenium-enriched yeast · High-selenium yeast · Saccharomyces cerevisiae selenium yeast
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of selenium yeast
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Standardized dried yeast
Inactive dried yeast with a stated selenium content in micrograms per gram.
Diluted grades
Selenium yeast blended with a carrier or plain yeast to a lower selenium strength for easier dosing.
Organic-certified yeast
Selenium yeast grown on certified organic substrates, offered by a few suppliers.
Branded selenium yeast
Proprietary yeasts with their own speciation data and specifications.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Total selenium
- Selenium by ICP-MS or ICP-OES, which sets the amount used per serving.
- Selenium speciation
- Selenomethionine as a share of total selenium by HPLC-ICP-MS, plus a limit on inorganic selenium.
- Inactivation
- A test showing no viable yeast cells, confirming the yeast was heat-inactivated.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying, which affects stability and selenium per gram.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, Salmonella and E. coli.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store selenium yeast in sealed, lined containers in a cool, dry place; it is hygroscopic and can develop odor and clump when damp. Keep it away from strong odors. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and total selenium, moisture and micro are retested on aged lots.
Lots and expiry dates
Record total selenium, speciation and moisture for each lot, since selenium content of yeast varies between batches and sets the dose. Keep the speciation report with the lot file if labels name selenomethionine.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 260, for high-selenium yeast notified by Cypress Systems, Inc. for use in foods such as baked products, beverages and cereals, closed on March 9, 2009 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 353, for high-selenium yeast notified by Alltech for foods such as yogurts, breads, cereals and beverages, closed on March 1, 2011 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists selenium-enriched yeast among the source ingredients for selenium (Table 2).
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Selenium yeast suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking selenium yeast suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell selenium yeast? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of selenium yeast can brands buy?
Common forms include standardized dried yeast, diluted grades, organic-certified yeast and branded selenium yeast. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for selenium yeast include?
Expect total selenium, selenium speciation, inactivation, moisture, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should selenium yeast be stored?
Store selenium yeast in sealed, lined containers in a cool, dry place; it is hygroscopic and can develop odor and clump when damp. Keep it away from strong odors. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and total selenium, moisture and micro are retested on aged lots.
What is the regulatory status of selenium yeast?
GRN 260, for high-selenium yeast notified by Cypress Systems, Inc. for use in foods such as baked products, beverages and cereals, closed on March 9, 2009 with FDA having no questions. GRN 353, for high-selenium yeast notified by Alltech for foods such as yogurts, breads, cereals and beverages, closed on March 1, 2011 with FDA having no questions. Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph for natural health products lists selenium-enriched yeast among the source ingredients for selenium (Table 2).
More vitamins and minerals
- Magnesium GlycinateMagnesium bisglycinate · Magnesium bisglycinate chelate
- Vitamin CL-ascorbic acid · Ascorbic acid
- Vitamin D3Cholecalciferol · Colecalciferol
- ZincZinc citrate · Zinc gluconate
- Vitamin A palmitateRetinyl palmitate · Retinol palmitate
- Vitamin A acetateRetinyl acetate · Retinol acetate
- Beta-caroteneβ-Carotene · all-trans-beta-carotene
- Vitamin D2Ergocalciferol · Calciferol
- Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)d-alpha-tocopherol · RRR-alpha-tocopherol
- Mixed tocopherolsTocopherols concentrate, mixed · Mixed tocopherol concentrate
- Vitamin K1Phylloquinone · Phytonadione
- Vitamin K2 (MK-7)Menaquinone-7 · MK-7
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