The PESL is the brainchild of a group of scientists concerned about dosage and contamination problems in probiotic supplements that random testing highlighted.
It will initially focus on Belgian products but aims to broaden its horizons in the near future to other parts of Europe and beyond.
Two key figures in the group – Dr Jean-Pol Warzée, the general secretary and executive director – and Professor Bruno Pot, from the Lactic Bacteria and Mucosal Immunity department at the Pasteur Institute in Lille, France, tell Shane Starling about the groups aims and ambitions.