If you have celiac disease, a gluten-free diet prevents damage to your small intestines. It can be tricky to figure out all of the hidden sources of gluten you need to avoid, however. Gluten is found in any foods or ingredients made with rye, wheat or barley. Torula yeast isn't made from these grains, so it is safe on this diet.
Torula and Gluten
Torula yeast is made during the processing of either fruits or wood products, so it doesn't contain any gluten. It is used as a food additive to give foods a savory, smoky or meaty taste without adding meat or using monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which some people try to avoid in their food due to potential adverse reactions. Torula yeast is found in processed foods such as soups, snack foods, pasta and rice mixes, salad dressings, processes meats, gravies and sauces. If you prefer not to consume torula yeast, check labels of processed foods, including gluten-free items. It may be listed by name on the ingredients label, but it can also fall under "natural flavorings," according to Center for Science in the Public Interest.