Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

State is wielding EU health claim laws as an information control tool, claims author

20-May-2014 By Lynda Searby

The EU’s handling of the term ‘probiotic’ is evidence of how the state is seeking to control voluntary as well as mandatory product information through the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR), according to the outspoken blogger, author and...

Global probiotics business is booming, while Europe focuses on blends and 'piggybacking'

19-May-2014 By Nathan Gray

Strong growth in the Americas and Asia is helping the probiotics industry to strong success, while the European market recovers from regulatory challenges by focusing on blends and 'piggybacking claims', say probiotics business experts.

Dispatches from the IPA World Congress in Athens, Greece

EFSA commits to fresh gut and immune health claim guidance

16-May-2014 By Shane STARLING

The EU’s central food science agency will next month open a consultation on immune and gut health that will inform a revised guidance that could come before year’s end and may appease sector anxiety.

‘Cost savings and quality of life improvements’: Meta-analysis supports probiotics for common cold

08-May-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming probiotics may decrease the duration of common upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) by up to a day, compared to placebo, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Prebiotic fiber plus probiotics shows immune-boosting effects in healthy adults

07-May-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of xylo-oligosaccharide prebiotic fibers with probiotics may modulate immune function in healthy adults, says new study.

Synbiotics show promise for cutting inflammatory biomarkers in obese kids

06-May-2014

Daily supplements containing seven probiotic bacterial strains and a prebiotic fiber may reduce markers of inflammation in obese children, says a new study.

Probiotics may reduce children’s throat infection rate

02-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Children with a history of recurrent streptococcal and viral throat infections could benefit from oral probiotics, according to Italian research.

science short

Gastro health and immunity: Chr Hansen reviews 300 papers on probiotic strain

28-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Danish probiotic leader Chr Hansen has gathered mounting probiotic science under one roof in a review of 300 Bifidobacterium-focused papers.

Exclusive documentary preview: MicroWarriors Special edition

MicroWarriors: Exploring probiotic power (and the powers that be)

25-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

NutraIngredients went to LA recently to question two leading probiotic academics about probiotics and the microbiome and which we present exclusively here. The interviews form part of a new documentary to be narrated by Leonard Nimoy, better known as...

L’Oréal-Nestlé scientists: Probiotics may improve sensitive skin from within

25-Apr-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 (ST11) may reduce skin sensitivity, according to results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study.

Study links microbial imbalance with breast cancer

25-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The microbiota could play a role in the development of breast cancer, according to new research.

Cry baby blues: L reuteri probiotic not backed for Colic

23-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

A study involving 167 breastfed and probiotic formula fed ‘excessive crying’ infants has found no benefits for the formula-fed ones, even though other studies showed probiotics could reduce the malady.

Gravity-free probiotics

Space…The final frontier for Yakult probiotics? 6-year study confirmed

22-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic pioneer Yakult’s little bottles are to feature in a 6-year, gravity-free study at the International Space Station (ISS).

An effective strategy for public cardio-metabolic health promotion? Resistant starch shows blood lipid and body composition benefits

18-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Using resistant starch-enriched flour in place of regular flour may reduce cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome, report researchers from South Dakota State University.

Finns and Norwegians partner on probiotic juice

10-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Finnish dairy and ingredients giant Valio has inked a deal with major Norwegian food and drink maker Tine to license its LGG probiotic strain in Tine’s Biola juice range.

Applicants right to challenge generic descriptor rejection, says EU law veteran

10-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Commission over-stepped its jurisdiction with its guidance on generic descriptors, and applicants could challenge rejections, according to an EU food law expert.

Back on track: Strong Q2 balances out natural colours loss for Chr. Hansen

09-Apr-2014 By Nathan Gray

Ingredients giant Chr. Hansen has an unchanged outlook for full year, after a strong second quarter eased the woes created by the firm losing its biggest colours customer in Q4 last year.

Celiac Disease breakthrough?

Natural protein elafin ‘promising’ in battle against gluten toxicity: Study

08-Apr-2014 By Kacey Culliney

The human protein elafin could be delivered into the gut using a probiotic bacterium to reduce the inflammatory reaction typical of celiac disease, researchers suggest.

Breast microbiome more complex than previously thought: Study

31-Mar-2014 By Nicola Cottam

The unique microbial composition of female breast tissue has given scientists new insight into the interaction between different bacteria in the human body and the effects this has on health.

Probi gets big order from US supplements giant Pharmavite

24-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

US-based supplement manufacturer Pharmavite has extended its supply relationship with Swedish probiotic supplier Probi with an order valued at $561,000 (3.6 million Swedish kroner).

DuPont: It seems like the whole world except Europe understands probiotics are backed by solid science

21-Mar-2014 By Elaine WATSON

Americans are often described as lagging behind their European counterparts when it comes to awareness of probiotics, but the growth potential in the US market is “huge”, says leading supplier DuPont.

IPA World Congress, May 9-11 2014, Athens, Greece

Time to renovate your probiotic toolbox? IPA workshop explores how

20-Mar-2014 By Shane STARLING

Companies that manufacture probiotic products can learn much from other fast-moving-consumer-good (FMCG) firms like shower gel, pharmaceutical and smoothie makers in NPD, an expert says.

Russia-Ukraine instability means Kazakhstan leads supplement growth

18-Mar-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Russia may still hold the lion share of the dietary supplements market in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), but it’s the comparatively more stable Kazakhstan that will lead in growth, according to a market report.

External advisory board to help Chr. Hansen capitalise on microbiome science

18-Mar-2014 By Lynda Searby

An explosion in microbiome science has prompted Chr. Hansen to appoint a scientific advisory board of “internationally recognised thought leaders in the field” to explore new opportunities for using bacteria to improve human health.

Battle of the bugs: Beneficial bacteria vital to immune response against infection

17-Mar-2014 By Lynda Searby

Our microbiome may play a central role in immune responses to infections, according to new research revealing how beneficial bacteria are necessary for the development of innate immune cells.

Customer relationships are crucial to developing personalised nutrition offerings

17-Mar-2014 By Lynda Searby

If Personalised Nutritional Offerings (PNOs) are to gain a commercial foothold in the marketplace, lessons need to be learned and providers will have to change the way they approach customer relationships, say researchers.

Gut bacteria to battle vitamin A deficiency: Could probiotics be modified to produce beta-carotene?

14-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Research backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation could offer a new solution to the problem of vitamin A deficiency by creating modified gut bacteria, researchers told NutraIngredients.

Gut microbiota ‘networks’ may play a role in autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes risk

14-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

The way in which our gut bacteria interact with each other may have vital implications for the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to new research.

BioGaia confirms extended agreement with Nestlé for clinical research and NPD

13-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Swedish probiotic player BioGaia has broadened and strengthened its ties with food manufacturing giant Nestlé by agreeing a deal for clinical research and new product development (NPD), according to the firm.

Healthy eating may reduce the risk of preterm delivery: Population data

11-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

A healthy diet packed with fruit, vegetables, and omega-3 rich fish could help to reduce the risk of pre-term babies, according to new research.

infographic

A global look at supplements on the rise

10-Mar-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The dietary supplements market is set to grow by 4% annually running up to 2018, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Norway being the top spenders by household consumption, according to Euromonitor International.

Almonds & their skins show prebiotic potential: Human data

06-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Fiber-rich almonds and almond skin may selectively boost the populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the gut, says a new study funded by the Almond Board of California.

Functional bakery: Could ‘edible films’ be a new strategy for probiotic delivery?

05-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

The use of edible films could be a new approach to the production of functional cereals and bakery products with added probiotics, according to new research.

Probiotics may boost ‘quality of life’ for hay fever sufferers: Study

05-Mar-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Hay fever suffers may benefit from daily probiotic supplements, according to a new study that found improvements in ‘quality of life’ scores and ocular symptoms.

Microbiota makeup linked to intestinal cancer risk

04-Mar-2014

The makeup of microbes living in our gut may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer and could drive the development of intestinal tumours, say researchers.

Pooperoni? Spanish researchers produce low sodium and fat probiotic stool sausage

04-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

A fermented sausage product that is made with probiotic lactobacilli bacteria isolated from infant faeces could transform the meat product in to a health food, according to new research.

Bitter PIL: UK firm ditches ‘probiotics’ for ‘live bacteria’ after regulator slap

26-Feb-2014

UK-based Probiotics International Ltd (PIL) is replacing all references to ‘probiotics’ with ‘live bacteria’ in its marketing materials after the UK advertising watchdog ruled ‘probiotic’ to be an unauthorised implied health claim under EU rules.

UK research takes aim at beneficial bacteria's ability to break down carbs

25-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

New funding from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) could help researchers to better understand how beneficial bacteria break down non-digestible carbohydrate.

Special edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Consumers gradually coming round to probiotics’ oral health potential, and thinking beyond 'dental’ first

20-Feb-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The gut starts at the mouth, so it should be no surprise that probiotics, those beneficial bacteria, are a growing presence in the oral health category. But which strains show the most potential, where does the science stand, and how do they work?

Special edition: Pre and Probiotics

Probiotic call: Forget health claims (consumers have)

20-Feb-2014 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic players obsessed with winning health claims needn’t bother as consumers don’t value them anyway, a leading consultant says.

Special edition: Pre & Probiotics

Know what you are putting in your products, urges probiotic Prof

20-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Industry must do more to understand the inter-species interactions of multi-strain probiotic products rather than assuming that 'more is better', warns Professor Gregor Reid.

Special edition: Pre & Probiotics

What is gut health? That's the blurry 800-pound gorilla in the room

20-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

In discussing gut health it’s wise to keep in mind the words of the late United States Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart when discussing a 1964 obscenity case. Pornography, Stewart said, was hard to pin down, but “I know it when I see it.” So it...

Probiotics backed for vaginal health: Study

19-Feb-2014 By Shane STARLING

Five Lactobacillus probiotic strains have been shown to reduce vaginal pathogens in new in vitro data, with a clinical trial ongoing.

Gut geography: Are obesity-linked gut bacteria more prevalent in northern areas?

17-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

People living in cold, northern latitudes have a greater proportion of gut bacteria that may predispose them to obesity, according to new meta-analysis data.

Probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis shows immune support for elderly people

13-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 may improve the activity of white blood cells in elderly adults, a population with higher susceptibility to infections.

Emerging markets drive probiotic expansion for Swedish player

12-Feb-2014

A focus on emerging markets has paid off for Swedish probiotics supplier BioGaia with sales and profits up in 2013.

Probiota 2014: Chairman calls for industry to 'step up' in fight for probiotics

06-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic and preboiotic industry players must do more to get consumers on their side in the fight with regulators in the US and EU, and should also be doing more to help save lives in Africa, according to Professor Gregor Reid.

Live from Probiota 2014

IPA calls for fresh global alliance in probiotics

05-Feb-2014 By Shane Starling in Amsterdam

The founder of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) has called on the Global Alliance for Probiotics (GAP) to work with it to develop the science and dossiers that can win health claims in Europe and elsewhere.

Live from Probiota 2014

Data eater: EU probiotic yoghurt market to drop 4.5% by 2018; supplements on the up

04-Feb-2014 By Shane Starling in Amsterdam

The market for probiotic yoghurt in 20 key European Union markets will fall 4.5% in the five years between now and 2018, but the overall sector trend remains positive, Euromonitor International analyst Ewa Hudson told a packed Probiota congress in Amsterdam...