What if nutritional yeast could provide vitamin B12 derived from natural fermentation, rather than relying on conventionally produced B12?
For manufacturers developing organic, plant-based and clean-label foods, vitamin B12 presents an interesting challenge.
B12 is an essential nutrient, yet meaningful dietary sources are overwhelmingly associated with animal-derived foods. People following vegan and predominantly plant-based diets must therefore pay particular attention to how they obtain it.
Food manufacturers have traditionally addressed this through fortification, adding a separately produced source of vitamin B12 to a food during manufacturing.
Nutritional yeast is a perfect example. It has become closely associated with vitamin B12 in the minds of many consumers, but there is an important distinction that is easily missed:
Nutritional yeast does not ordinarily contain nutritionally significant amounts of vitamin B12.
When conventional nutritional yeast contains substantial B12, it is generally because a separately produced source of the vitamin has been added.
Bioreal® approached the challenge differently.
B12 developed through fermentation, not added after production
Developed by German organic yeast specialist Agrano, Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes contain vitamin B12 produced by selected natural, non-GMO microorganisms fermented on high-quality organic raw materials.
The B12 does not originate from the yeast itself. It is produced through a fermentation process and incorporated into a certified organic yeast-flake formulation.
This distinction is important.
Rather than relying on a conventionally produced source of vitamin B12, Bioreal® uses fermentation to create a fermentation-derived source compatible with the product's broader organic positioning.
The result brings together:
- certified organic ingredients
- vitamin B12 derived from fermentation
- non-GMO microorganisms
- 30.4 g protein per 100 g
- savoury, versatile yeast flakes
- a formulation suitable for vegan and vegetarian foods
It represents a different way of thinking about how nutrition can be incorporated into an organic food product.
A different approach to B12 in organic yeast flakes
Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes are produced through Agrano's specialised production and fermentation process, with the B12 developed during fermentation rather than added to the finished flakes.
The flakes contain 45 μg of vitamin B12 per 100 g.
A 5 g reference quantity of the ingredient provides approximately 2.25 μg of vitamin B12. Finished-product claims and serving information must be assessed under the requirements of the intended market.
That makes the ingredient particularly interesting for businesses developing products for plant-based, vegan, vegetarian and health-conscious markets.
Consumers increasingly want foods that do more than meet a nutritional number on a panel. They are looking more closely at where ingredients come from, how foods are produced and whether a nutritional benefit aligns with the broader values of the product.
Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes sit at the intersection of those demands.
- They are organic.
- They are suitable for vegan diets.
- They contain vitamin B12 produced by selected microorganisms during fermentation.
- And they retain the savoury characteristics that make yeast flakes such a versatile food ingredient.
Why the distinction matters for organic products
For brands building products around organic certification, natural ingredient positioning and transparent production methods, the origin of a nutrient can be commercially significant.
A conventional nutritional yeast fortified with separately produced B12 cannot necessarily offer the same proposition as an organic formulation containing vitamin B12 cultivated through fermentation on organic raw materials.
Until now, product developers have often faced a compromise:
- Choose organic nutritional yeast without a meaningful B12 proposition.
- Or choose B12-fortified nutritional yeast that may not support the same organic ingredient story.
Bioreal® creates another possibility:
Certified organic yeast flakes with fermentation-derived vitamin B12 produced on organic raw materials.
This provides manufacturers with an ingredient capable of supporting several product-development objectives at once, including organic positioning, plant-based suitability, nutritional value and savoury flavour.
More than a nutritional yeast topping
Nutritional yeast is familiar to many consumers as golden flakes sprinkled over pasta, salads, vegetables and savoury dishes.
Its potential as a food-manufacturing ingredient is much broader.
The naturally savoury character of yeast flakes makes them relevant to products where flavour and nutritional value need to work together.
Potential applications include:
Plant-based foods
Organic B12 yeast flakes may be incorporated into plant-based cheeses, meat alternatives, savoury fillings and other products requiring depth of flavour and nutritional value.
Seasonings and savoury blends
The flakes may be used in nutritional seasonings, spice blends, savoury coatings and products designed to be sprinkled over finished foods.
Soups, sauces and spreads
Their savoury character makes them relevant to soups, sauces, stocks, dips, spreads, pesto-style products and other prepared foods.
Snacks and ready meals
Organic B12 yeast flakes may provide flavour and nutritional value in savoury snacks, meal components and convenience-food formulations.
Health and nutritional foods
The combination of organic ingredients, protein and fermentation-derived B12 presents opportunities for nutritional foods developed for vegan, vegetarian and plant-based consumers.
Retail and private-label products
The product may also support the development of retail yeast flakes, organic nutritional seasonings and private-label product ranges.
Decades of organic yeast innovation behind it
Bioreal® is not a newly created wellness brand responding to the recent growth of plant-based eating.
Its origins lie in Agrano's decades-long work developing specialist organic yeast production.
Agrano began developing its unique organic yeast production method in partnership with Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences in 1983. Bioreal® organic yeast entered pilot production in 1995, followed by the establishment of Agrano and the construction of its industrial production facility in Germany in 1996.
Today, Agrano supplies German-manufactured organic yeast products to customers around the world.
Its product range includes:
- organic dried yeast
- organic baking powder
- organic yeast extracts
- organic yeast powders
- organic yeast flakes
- organic liquid fermentation products
The development of Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes continues this history of innovation: using fermentation knowledge to create organic ingredients that respond to changing food, nutrition and manufacturing needs.
German manufacturing expertise, supported in Australia
MH Bioreal Organics supplies Bioreal® organic yeast and specialist organic fermentation ingredients to Australian businesses.
The ingredients are manufactured by Agrano in Germany. MH Bioreal provides Australian supply, communication and commercial support for manufacturers, organic brands, ingredient buyers, product developers and private-label businesses.
Support may include:
- product specifications and technical documentation
- organic certification information
- commercial quantities
- samples for product assessment
- application and ingredient discussions
- private-label opportunities
- product-development enquiries
- specialist fermentation projects
For manufacturers exploring the use of Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes, the next step is to assess the ingredient within the intended formulation and confirm the nutritional, sensory, production and regulatory requirements of the finished product.
Could fermentation-derived B12 strengthen your next product?
Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes offer more than a nutritional claim.
They bring together organic ingredient integrity, plant-based suitability, savoury flavour, protein and vitamin B12 produced by selected microorganisms during fermentation.
For food brands and manufacturers, this creates an opportunity to develop products with a more complete and credible story, one that connects nutrition with the way the ingredient is actually produced.
Speak with MH Bioreal about product information, samples, commercial supply, private-label opportunities or the potential use of Bioreal® Organic B12 Yeast Flakes in your next formulation.