Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

‘Knowledge transfer’: Probiotech chief explains real-world probiotic conference drivers

24-May-2011 By Shane Starling

Gate2Tech managing director Dr Jean Michel Pommet explains why the Probiotech conference, to be held in Milan on June 23-24, offers something a little bit different as far as probiotic-centred congresses go.

Special edition: Prebiotics

Prebiotics: Misunderstood but not missing in action

20-May-2011 By Shane Starling

Most consumers have never even heard of them, let alone understand their microbiota-building function. EFSA says they don’t work. And they live in the shadow of their more popular, accessible and bigger selling cousin, probiotics, yet sales continue to...

Probiotic start-ups pushing new research to please EFSA

19-May-2011 By Shane Starling

Spanish and British probiotics companies are driving funds into strain and product-specific studies as they attempt to build scientific backing that will survive in the European Union health claims clampdown.

Special edition: Prebiotics

Prebiotic evolution: From earth oven to pizza oven

19-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A clever combination of gut friendly food, consumer education and social media has made Naked Pizza a runaway success. Prebiotic-containing pizza bases will soon be hitting grocery stores, too, says the archaeologist who co-founded the company.

Special edition: Prebiotics

Forget 'prebiotics'. Focus on fiber, say brand experts

18-May-2011 By Elaine Watson

While the food and supplements industry has been talking about prebiotics for well over a decade, most US consumers remain pretty clueless about them, according to marketing experts.

Danone debuts probiotic yoghurt Activia in 69th country: Australia

17-May-2011 By Shane Starling

French dairy Danone has built on its 2010 joint venture with Australian co-op Murray Goulburn by belatedly launching its €4bn global selling probiotic yoghurt Activia on the market there.

Special edition: Prebiotics

The prebiotic pioneer: Prof Glenn Gibson

17-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Harnessing modern technologies like metabonomics will ‘provide the answers’ to questions about how the gut microflora affect human health, says the scientist who co-coined the term ‘prebiotic’.

DuPont succeeds in Danisco bid

16-May-2011 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

US chemical group DuPont has successfully completed its tender offer for Danisco, as 92.2 percent of outstanding shares in the Danish food ingredients firm were tendered by Friday’s deadline, DuPont said on Monday.

Prebiotic pasta shows metabolic promise: Study

13-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming pasta enriched with prebiotic fibers may slow the emptying of the stomach and ease the rise in blood sugar levels after eating, says a new study from Italy.

Probiotics may ease bloating for people with bowel disorders: Study

12-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of two probiotic strains may ease symptoms of bloating in people with bowel disorders, say researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Danisco USA.

Probiotic milk may alleviate fever: Yakult study

29-Apr-2011 By Nathan Gray

Milk fermented with Lactobacillus casei may help to alleviate fever caused by norovirus gastroenteritis by correcting imbalances of intestinal microflora, according to a new study.

Probiotics sector unimpressed by EFSA gut-immune guidance

29-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

Probiotic academics and industry members say there is little new in the gut and immune health claim guidance final draft published this week by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Lonza becomes probiotic player

19-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

Swiss giant Lonza has plunged into the probiotics sector for the first time by licensing a gut ulcer battling Lactobacillus strain plucked from the 8000-strain strong vats of German contract research organisation, Organobalance.

Probiotic academic: ‘Just add water to probiotic health claims’

18-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

A leading probiotics researcher says the ongoing uncertainty about endpoints and biomarkers in European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim evaluations, means the best chance for probiotic products to make claims is to combine them with nutrients...

Probiotics may reduce cold/’flu symptoms for male athletes: Study

15-Apr-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum may reduce the duration of symptoms of respiratory tract infections in male athletes, says a new study from Australia.

Spanish initiative seeks functional food solutions

14-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

The Spanish government is backing an agro-food scheme that brings ingredient suppliers together with food companies, biotech firms, hospitals, research centres and the IT sector.

Study support Stratum’s chitin-glucan for weight management

13-Apr-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with chitin-glucan may beneficially alter the gut microflora and improve metabolic processes associated with obesity, suggests new data from a mouse study.

Bacteria supplements may affect weight gain: Rat study extends microflora-obesity link

11-Apr-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Early exposure to bacterial strains during pregnancy, breast feeding, and early life has a profound impact on weight gain in the offspring, says a new study with rats.

EFSA health claim opinions - article 13, batch 4

EFSA issues batch four of article 13 health claims

08-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority’s health claims panel this morning issued 442 fresh article 13 general function health claim opinions, causing a run on its site that crashed it for many minutes.

Chr Hansen plans to re-submit probiotic for 13.5 claim

06-Apr-2011 By Jess Halliday

Chr Hansen is anticipating a negative opinion on its 13.1 health claim submission for its BB12 probiotic this week, due to lack guidance from EFSA when it was made, and plans to re-submit under 13.5.

EU approves DuPont-Danisco offer – but it’s far from a done deal

05-Apr-2011 By Shane Starling

The European Commission today approved DuPont’s €4.5bn offer for Danish probiotics, enzymes and ingredients giant Danisco but the deal remains in doubt as to date only 6% of Danisco shareholders have accepted the offer.

Danisco results may influence stockholders over DuPont offer

23-Mar-2011 By Jess Halliday

Danisco’s fine Q3 results may make some investors less willing to sell, believing the company can bring profit alone or that DuPont may be persuaded to raise its offer, say commentators.

China-Biotics expands probiotics deal with Bright Dairy

22-Mar-2011 By Shane Starling

Leading Chinese probiotics supplier, China-Biotics, has pressed a deal with the country’s third biggest dairy to expand the number of probiotic strains it uses in yoghurt products.

Market education crucial to China’s probiotic market, Chr Hansen

16-Mar-2011 By Wang Fangqing

Long term growth for probiotic products in China will require considerable market education, according to Chr. Hansen, which is showcasing an anti-constipation concept containing its BB-12 strain Food Ingredients China this month.

EFSA health claims panellist edits probiotic claims book

14-Mar-2011 By Shane Starling

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim panellist, professor Seppo Salminen, has co-edited a book investigating probiotic science and health claims, with a focus on regional differences.

Probiotic shows child constipation potential: Pilot study

11-Mar-2011 By Nathan Gray

The probiotic Bifidobacterium breve may be effective in increasing stool frequency in children with functional constipation, according to a new pilot study.

Veteran probiotic researcher says EFSA’s Danone rejection is ‘difficile’ to accept

02-Mar-2011 By Shane Starling in Brussels

A 25-year probiotic research veteran says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rejection of a diarrhoea C. difficile-reducing health claim for Danone drinking yoghurt Actimel was flawed because it failed to consider the totality of the evidence in...

Danone demands EFSA reveal “minority opinions” in Actimel health claim rejection response

01-Mar-2011 By Shane Starling

Global probiotics leader Danone has written a 14-page response to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in which it accuses the Parma-based agency of ignoring positive trial data and demands to see “minority opinions” among health claim panel decisions.

Probiotic academics turn up political health claim heat

01-Mar-2011 By Shane Starling

A recently established group of global gut health academics is sending letters to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as national government politicians as the group attempts to alter the application of a regulation it says is, “killing...

Chr Hansen collaborates for children’s nutrition in Vietnam

01-Mar-2011 By Jess Halliday

Chr Hansen has teamed up with Vietnamese dairy giant Vinamilk to develop bio science-based nutritional products for children – with the first product, containing BB-12 and LLG cultures due for launch.

Probiotic encapsulation technology attracts industry heavyweights

24-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

A patent-pending probiotic technology developed by Belgian start-up Vésale Pharma is being eyed by major firms keen to develop products employing the technology’s stated bioavailability-boosting potential.

Chinese probiotics firm files patents on technologies and conditions

22-Feb-2011 By Jess Halliday

China-Biotics has filed five new patents for its probiotics as it plans to enter new condition areas like feminine hygiene and infant diarrhea, and microencapsulated probiotics for harsh manufacturing conditions.

New League puts probiotic supplement quality under the microscope

22-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

The Probiotics European Scientific League (PESL) is a new group that seeks to improve quality among probiotic supplements by increasing testing and certifying products that pass via a League logo.

Probiotics documentary reaches out to health professionals

21-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

A recently completed documentary about probiotics is being welcomed by the probiotics community with Danisco, the world’s biggest probiotics supplier saying it provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the microorganisms among the medical fraternity.

DuPont extends Danisco offer deadline

21-Feb-2011 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

DuPont has extended the tender offer period related to its acquisition of Danisco shares by more than a month to April 1, 2011, the company has said.

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA rejects probiotic “heart cheese” health claim

16-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected an article 13.5 claim that sought to link a probiotic cheese called Harmony with heart health benefits.

Probiotics community increasing political pressure for health claims change

11-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

The pre- and probiotics community is seeking direct dialogue with the European Commission to force a rethink of immunity and gut health claims under the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR).

Swedish probiotics player sales surge 16%

11-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

Swedish probiotics supplier and product manufacturer BioGaia has seen sales increase 16 per cent in 2010 to €27.77m from €23.08m in 2009, with after-tax profit increasing 31 per cent year-on-year to €5.35m.

Danisco board accepts DuPont offer

10-Feb-2011 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Danisco’s executive board and members of its board of directors have accepted DuPont’s offer of DKK 665 per share, corresponding to 28,056 shares with a total value of DKK 18.7m, Danisco said on Wednesday.

P-Day: Could US research save probiotics in Europe?

09-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

European probiotic researchers are welcoming last week’s commitment to probiotic study by a major US government health and nutrition agency, with biomarker development a real possibility.

Pfizer acquires Danish food supplements operation

07-Feb-2011 By Shane Starling

Pfizer has acquired the consumer healthcare business of Danish firm Ferrosan for an undisclosed fee in what the pharma giant says, “is an excellent strategic fit that strengthens our presence in dietary supplements”.

Bifodan wins Frost probiotic technology gong

07-Feb-2011

Danish start-up Bifodan has won the Frost & Sullivan 2010 Global Probiotics Technology Differentiation Award for its ProTarget probiotic protection technology.

Probiotics fail to prevent colitis recurrence: Study

07-Feb-2011

Daily supplements of a blend of the bacterial strains Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (Probio-Tec AB-25) was no better than placebo for maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis.

Analysts: DuPont Danisco buy-out may end in fire sale

31-Jan-2011 By Shane Starling

Analysts are saying Danisco could be carved up by its new owner DuPont, which they suggest is most interested in the Danish company’s enzymes for biofuels and that the food side of the business may be jettisoned.

Science stacks up for robust probiotic benefits

28-Jan-2011 By Ben Bouckley

Spore-forming probiotics such as Bacillus coagulans with higher heat resistance than commonly used strains have a bright future in sectors such as baked foods, according to a new review study.

Probiotic encapsulation patent opens formulation potential

26-Jan-2011 By Shane Starling

Belgian probiotics player Vésale Pharma has applied to the European Patent Office (EPO) for a probiotic microencapsulation technology patent that can deliver probiotics into new blends such as high-dose vitamin C supplements.

Probi hopes for further ProViva launches by 2011/12

26-Jan-2011 By Ben Bouckley

Swedish bioscience company Probi says it hopes there may be further international launches of ProViva probiotic products by late 2011 or early 2012

Study suggests designer probiotics could help cut obesity

24-Jan-2011 By Ben Bouckley

Targeted probiotics could affect the physiology of human fat cells and potentially prevent or help treat conditions such as obesity, according to new Irish research.

Special edition: Outsourcing

CROs (slowly) piece together EFSA's health claim science puzzle

21-Jan-2011 By Shane Starling

In the second part of this special series on global outsourcing trends NutraIngredients explores how the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) is impacting activity in the contract research organisation (CRO) sector.

Probiotic effect may benefit from micronutrient boost, suggests study

20-Jan-2011 By Nathan Gray

The effects of probiotics on gut health may be boosted by a symbiotic partnership with the supplementation of certain micronutrients, according to new research.