Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Strain F53)

Strain F53

What is it?

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) strain F53 is a yeast that could have a number of industrial, commercial and consumer uses
• Strain F53 has characteristics in common with other strains of the species S. cerevisiae, which are found in nature.

How is it used?

• S. cerevisiae strain F53 is currently used in Canada for a variety of consumer and commercial applications, such as the production of foods and beverages, feeds, as well as research and development.
• The characteristics of S. cerevisiae strain F53 make it suitable for use in consumer, industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors. These include production of, or the presence in, food, natural health products such as probiotics, feeds, biofuels and biochemicals for the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes and therapeutic drugs, as well as bioremediation and wastewater treatment.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, this Priority A (higher hazard) micro-organism on the Domestic Substances List must undergo an assessment to determine whether it has the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment. This is done under the Chemicals Management Plan.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• The general population of Canada may be exposed to S. cerevisiae strain F53 from the use of consumer, health or commercial products containing this strain, and to a lesser extent from environmental media.

How is it released to the environment?

• S. cerevisiae strain F53 may be released to the Canadian environment from its deliberate addition to consumer, health or commercial products or its use in agriculture and industrial processes in Canada.
• Releases are expected to be into the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, from its use in consumer and commercial applications.

What are the results of the assessment?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of S. cerevisiae strain F53, called a screening assessment.
• Screening assessments address potential for harm to the general population of Canada and to the environment.
• Hazards related to micro-organisms used in the workplace should be classified accordingly under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• The Government of Canada has concluded that S. cerevisiae strain F53 is not entering the environment in a quantity or under conditions that constitute a danger to the environment.
• The Government of Canada has also concluded that S. cerevisiae strain F53 is not harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
• Furthermore, foreseeable new activities involving S. cerevisiae strain F53 are not expected to cause harm.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain F53 on January 21, 2017 .
• The Government of Canada will take no further action at this time on S. cerevisiae strain F53.

What can Canadians do?

• As a general precaution, Canadians are reminded when using any product to carefully follow any safety warnings and directions and to dispose of the products appropriately.