Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Omega-3 from fish and flax backed to prevent broken hips: Study

02-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consuming high levels of omega-3 fatty acidsmay reduce the risk for hip fractures in postmenopausal women, research suggests.

EFSA rejects Clasado prebiotic for gastro benefits (again)

28-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

Clasado has had its Bimuno prebiotic formulation rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which said fresh data analysis provided by the UK-Maltese firm did not show gastro-intestinal benefits.

Probiotics have no benefit for IBS, finds new RCT data

27-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a probiotic containing functional food product has no clinical benefits for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when compared to a placebo treatment, according to new clinical trial data.

International probiotics group engages EFSA over evidence ‘totality’

27-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

The increasingly vocal International Probiotics Association (IPA) has sent a series of formal questions to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) about evidential requirements for probiotics.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

Synbiotic supplements may influence metabolic status for diabetics: RCT data

17-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of probiotics and prebiotics may reduce levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, suggest findings of a new study publishing in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Probiotic may boost vitamin D levels: First human data

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 may boost circulating vitamin D levels in the blood by 25%, say results of a post-hoc analysis of a published randomized controlled trial.

Infant formula use linked to 'metabolic stress' and later disease risks: Study

13-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Infants that are fed formula rather than breast milk may experience metabolic stress that plays a role in long suggested long-term risks for obesity, diabetes and other diseases, say researchers.

Yoghurt group lobbies EC over probiotic labelling ban

10-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

An industry group that includes Danone and Dupont-Danisco as members has written to the European Commission to reinstate the use of the EU-banned term ‘probiotic’ on products across the bloc.

Probiotics may boost mental performance for diabetics: Animal data

06-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of probiotics may improve the mental performance of lab animals with diabetes, says a new study that supports the potential benefits of an optimal microbiome–gut–brain axis.

Ireland: Even terms like ‘live cultures’ are implied (& banned) EU probiotic health claims

05-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Irish authorities have clarified the country’s position in regard to probiotic health claims, taking a literal reading of the EU position that the term ‘probiotic’ alone is an implied health claim.

"We hope these results will prompt physicians to consider its use.”

Evidence solidifies behind probiotic benefits for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea

05-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

The capacity of probiotics to ease diarrhoea and other problems associated with antibiotic use in some patients has received fresh backing after a review of studies conducted by University of Toronto researchers.

Microbiota project seeks answers to better elderly nutrition

03-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

An Irish government-backed project with multiple partners is investigating links between the gut microbiota and elderly nutrition.

Cochrane: Probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

31-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming supplements and food containing probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, according to a systematic review from the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration.

BioGaia, Nestlé sign new probiotic supply and licence deal

31-May-2013

Probiotics manufacturer BioGaia has entered into a new supply and licence agreement with Nestlé that will see the Swiss food and beverage giant include the firm's Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic in a “new category” of products.

Prebiotic infant formula yields breast milk-like infant microbiota: Study

30-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

Infant formula infused with prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin results in an infant microbiota that is closer to that of breast milk fed infants during the first four months of life, a study has found.

Microwarriors 2: Leonard Nimoy signs up to narrate new probiotics documentary

22-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Following the success of the first Microwarriors documentary, Health Point Productions is now working on the sequel: Microwarriors 2, with Leonard Nimoy lined up to narrate.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Chewing gum developed to battle common cold

16-May-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Private label gum maker Fertin Pharma has developed an immunity chewing gum that it claims can help guard against the common cold.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Chocolate an ‘amenable’ probiotic delivery vehicle, says DuPont

15-May-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Chocolate is a strong carrier for probiotics and could present an opportunity for brand manufacturers to introduce products to improve gut health, according to supplier DuPont.

Prebiotic inulin shows glycemic benefits for diabetic women

13-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Dietary supplements of inulin may improve some glycemic measures in women when type-2 diabetes, suggests a new study.

EHL targets ancient grain appeal with freekeh young wheat

06-May-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

EHL Ingredients has introduced the smoky wheat variety freekeh to the UK food industry for use in composed foods like salads, soups and casseroles.

Probiotics again linked to fat and weight loss: RCT data

30-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) may help weight loss in people with obese tendencies, says a new study from Japan.

Danone, Yakult aim to further ‘collaborative relationship’ through deal

29-Apr-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Yakult and its largest shareholder, Danone, have scrapped their nine-year old “strategic alliance” in favour of a new, looser agreement to further their “collaborative relationship.”

Maternal microbiota passes directly to newborn, Yakult research suggests

24-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A mother's gut microbiota may transfer and colonise newborn infants intestines in the first few days after birth, according to new research from Yakult.

Symrise wins €125m EIB loan for nutrition and skin R&D

23-Apr-2013

Cosmetics and nutrition are the focal points for a €125m research and development loan gained by supplier Symrise.

Chr Hansen targets dairy players with vitamin K-boosting probiotic

16-Apr-2013 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic leader Chr Hansen is targeting dairy players with an L. Lactis probiotic strain it says produces vitamin K at significant enough levels to utilise approved health claims.

Barley extracts show weight management potential: Human data

12-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Adding boiled barley kernels to the diet may increase levels of hormones linked to satiety and reduce subsequent energy intakes, says a new study from Sweden.

Chr. Hansen still sees probiotic potential despite ‘insufficient’ trial data

11-Apr-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Chr. Hansen is still positive about probiotics – including in Europe – despite disappointing results in another two clinical trials, according to Chr. Hansen’s chief financial officer (CFO) Klaus Pedersen.

Prebiotic potential seen in seaweed compounds despite setback

09-Apr-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

An EU funded project still sees prebiotic potential in seaweed in spite of a negative finding in human trials.

Make sure it’s yoghurt: Product type not price key for probiotics

08-Apr-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Italian consumers care more about having their probiotics in yoghurt form than they do about price, health claims and brand, according to new research.

Intelligent evidence: 'Breakthrough' in microbiome sampling promises greater proof for probiotic claims

04-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A new non-invasive method to test the effects of functional foods and nutrients on the gut flora promises to help industry build solid evidence for health claims substantiation, says NIZO Food Research.

Probiotic beads show potential for ‘friendly bugs’ to move beyond dairy

01-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Using salmon eggs as their inspiration, Brazilian food scientists have developed probiotic beads for use in an expanded range of foods, including oriental cuisine.

Awareness of probiotics growing worldwide, expert says

29-Mar-2013 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics and their benefits have wide recognition in Europe and Asia, and awareness is growing.  This situation bodes well for growth in the US, while it will serve to buoy manufacturers and marketers of these products in difficult regulatory times...

Polish €583m VMS market gunning for specific claims

26-Mar-2013

Poland’s €583m vitamins and minerals food supplements market is evolving toward ever-more sophisticated and specific claims according to a market analyst.

Danone wins Activia health claim in Switzerland

22-Mar-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Danone has been granted a front-of-pack health claim by Swiss Authorities that says its Activia yoghurt aids digestion.

Japanese firm seeks EU probiotic approval

21-Mar-2013 By Jane Joseph

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling for views on an application from Japan’s Miyarisan Pharmaceutical for European Union Novel Foods status for a probiotic strain.

GOS prebiotics may boost calcium absorption for teens: Purdue data

20-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) may enhance the absorption of calcium for adolescent girls, says a new study from Purdue University with implications for bone health.

UK National Health Service undertakes probiotic colon study

19-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

King’s College Hospital in London is investigating the potential of a proprietary probiotic blend to benefit those suffering from diverticular disease.

Pre- and Probiotics 2013: Yes, let’s call it unmissable

15-Mar-2013

Seven webinars. Brand and supplier insights. Regulatory analysis. Market analysis. Marketing analysis. Science. You had better put this in your diary...

EU working group to discuss probiotic as a ‘general descriptor’

15-Mar-2013 By Rick Pendrous

Hopes are rising that the use of the term ‘probiotic’ will not have to disappear on products following the failure of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to give approval for a generic health claim for the ingredient last year.

'A big step forward': Probiotics may alter brain activity in healthy people, says Danone/UCLA data

14-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a fermented milk product containing five different probiotic strains may affect the parts of the brain linked to emotion and sensation, says a new study from UCLA and Danone.

Eurozone blues? Not for young Irish ingredients player

12-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

Irish supplier Willows Ingredients has launched a UK-based European division to target smaller continental European markets and says the Eurozone economic problems are no barrier to growth.

Good bacteria may wipe out antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Study

11-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

New possibilities for novel probiotic products are on the horizon after researchers report that some probiotic strains can eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the gut.

Spanish and Danes team up on oral probiotics

06-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

Spanish start-up AB-Biotics has signed a deal with Danish company CMS Dental to launch a range of oral probiotics in Denmark.

BLIS-K12’s oral health benefits get support from 2 clinical trials

27-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing the probiotic BLIS K12 ingredient may reduce the reoccurrence of throat infections and tonsillitis by up to 90%, according to data from new clinical trials from Italy.

Lallemand hits health claims home run with five Canadian approvals

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics supplier Lallemand has announced a big regulatory win:  Canadian authorities have approved health claims on five of its probiotic formulas. 

Chr Hansen eyes pharma sector with €20m probiotic plant expansion

19-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

Global probiotics leader Chr Hansen is throwing €20m at the expansion of its Danish freeze-drying capacity with increasing global pharma  and food supplement demand the key driver.

‘Second generation’ prebiotic shows potential against metabolic syndrome

18-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a novel mixture of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides may boost gut health and immune function and help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, UK researchers report.

More rigour required: Leatherhead on latest EFSA health claim rejections

15-Feb-2013 By Roberta Re

Leatherhead Food Research nutrition research manager Roberta Re calls for more rigorous science after pouring over the latest serving of article 13.5 opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in this guest article. All were ultimately refused,...

Editor’s blog

Which 2 global health brands grew by $1bn in 2012?

15-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Something probiotic? Omega-3? A diet cola? Nope.