Abstract: A method for producing phenylalanine comprising culturing novel strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli. The novel strains of E. coli are those in which inhibition of the enzyme DAHP synthease by phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan is removed and inhibition of the enzyme chorismate mutase P-prephenate dehydratase by phenylalanine is removed and in which enhanced levels of production of the enzymes DAHP synthease, chorismate mutase P-prephenate dehydratase and shikimate kinase are achieved. The organism is preferably also modified to limit the production of alternate end products from chorismate.