Cypress Systems’ organic mineral selenium yeast approved for use in infant formula

09 Oct 2023 --- Cypress Systems has received Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for its organically bound, natural food form of selenium yeast, SelenoExcell, the first such notification for a selenium source for use in infant formula for healthy, full-term infants.

SelenoExcell is an organic mineral form of high selenium yeast for use in infant formulas and includes US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notification. Selenium has been a mandated mineral in infant formula since 2019, but only inorganic forms of selenium were allowed by the FDA.

“Until now, only inorganic forms of selenite or selenate were allowed, which prevented manufacturers from using the highest quality option,” says Michelle Martin, president and COO at Cypress Systems. 

“Our focus has long been perfecting the process of fermentation for organically bound minerals to yeast, which creates natural, food-form minerals that can be easily absorbed by the body,” explains Martin. 

Food form of a mineral
SelenoExcell is a standardized high-selenium yeast, which is a more efficacious food form of the mineral. The branded ingredient is non-GMO and non-allergenic and ideal for maternal health products and infant supplements.

“Maternal and infant health are integral to Cypress’s core values. Our non-profit aids young mothers and their infants in Africa, reflecting our deep commitment to global wellness,” Martin explains. 

SelenoExcell is also the first selenium yeast product to be GRAS-approved by the FDA for use in various food categories and to have a Qualified Health Claim. According to Cypress Systems, the ingredient is supported by “a deep bibliography of research.”SelenoExcell has been approved for infant GRAS.

“SelenoExcell is the gold standard for maternal health supplementation, so extending its benefits to infants is a seamless evolution,” says Martin.

In 2021, Cypress Systems launched a premium ingredient line of pure, fully-reacted chelated minerals branded TheChelates.

Infant formula market
During the US infant formula shortage last year, 48.5% of parents resorted to potentially harmful feeding methods, such as watering down the formula, using expired or homemade formula or using human milk from informal sharing. Before the shortage, this figure was 8%, according to US researchers. 

Earlier this year, researchers recommended spacing infant formula samples over time in a stratified sampling pattern to catch risky pathogens like Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula powder rather than random sampling during production. Taking more samples, even smaller ones, can increase the power to detect contamination. 

Meanwhile, as demand for infant formula remained steady across global markets despite supply shocks in the US in 2022, companies diversified their products to meet different regional demands. Nutrition-rich products are highly sought after by consumers worldwide, while interest in specific ingredients varies depending on geography.

Edited by Inga de Jong