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Probiotics

Probiotics may have taken some time to seep into consumer consciousness, especially in the US, but digestive health last year entered the top three fastest growing functional food categories. And with developments in science and technology also come greater opportunities to widen the category beyond the traditional dairy application.

'Unique' probiotic and omega-3 combo offers longer shelf life

06-Nov-2009 - A 'unique' combination of a probiotic and omega-3 fish oil offers greater shelf life and enhanced activity, claims its manufacturer Nutrition 21.

Probiotics to star in new TV documentary series

26-Oct-2009 - Probiotics are to take centre stage in a new series of TV documentaries, the first of which will be screened next Fall on major TV channels in the United States, including Public Service Broadcasting outlets, National Geographic and Discovery, along with European and Asian networks.

UAS acts against probiotic piracy

14-Oct-2009 - Minnesota-based UAS Laboratories says at least three companies are selling probiotic products that fraudulently claim to contain its trademarked, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 strains.

Lallemand puts spotlight on immune-benefits for probiotics

14-Oct-2009 - Immune health from gut health is not too obscure for consumers, but work needs to be done on identifying the mechanisms involved, said the conclusions from a two-day meeting in Toulouse.

Canada confirms six month probiotic compliance deadline

09-Oct-2009 - Probiotic products on sale in Canada have been given six months to comply with new health claims guidelines by Health Canada.

'Sexy' probiotics will bring men to the market

30-Sep-2009 - Men are the next key target area for the growing probiotic market, says a new report, but they won’t be turned on by the same health messages as women.

Weekly comment

The benefits of a probiotic witch hunt

28-Sep-2009 - Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.

General Mills sued over probiotic claims

28-Sep-2009 - The legal firm that mounted the class action against Dannon that resulted in a $35m out-of-court settlement, is one of several law firms that have mounted a similar action against another probiotic product, this time General Mills’ Yo-Plus.

Dannon probiotic claims: 'Ripped' or 'enhanced'?

24-Sep-2009 - Reaction to Dannon’s $35m out-of-court probiotic settlement has been varied – from those accusing the company of scientific and marketing negligence to staunch defense of the company’s right to market products even when the science is not conclusive.

Exclusive interview

Inside Yakult's probiotic science culture

24-Sep-2009 - In HG Wells’ The War of the Worlds it is not the almighty weapons of humanity that defeated the invading Martians. It is a lack of immunity to the earth’s tiny pathogenic bacteria.

Expand probiotics beyond category boundaries, says Euromonitor

23-Sep-2009 - New areas of opportunity in the market for probiotics include formulating products specifically targeting men, and expanding to categories beyond gut health and immunity, according to Euromonitor.

Analysis: The details of Dannon's probiotic settlement

22-Sep-2009 - Dannon’s out-of-court settlement of the $300m class action mounted against it the beginning of last year contains some interesting clauses such as the fact Dannon has only committed to altering its on-pack immunity marketing for three years.

Dannon pulls 'immunity' claim from probiotic drinks

21-Sep-2009 - Dannon is removing the word “immunity” from its DanActive probiotic drink on-package marketing after concluding an out-of-court settlement last week over alleged misleading probiotic claims.

Probiotic-containing apple wedges may offer dairy-free alternatives

21-Sep-2009 - Applying probiotic bacteria to fresh-cut apple wedges may offer an alternative way for a daily boost to gut health, and offer a dairy-free alternative, suggests new research from Ireland.

Weekly comment

Are health claims curbing freedom of speech?

21-Sep-2009 - The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.

‘Gut friendly’ pizza – coming to a neighborhood near you

18-Sep-2009 - With probiotic yogurt shots beginning to establish themselves on US grocery store shelves, are consumers ready for a gut-friendly pizza?

Probiotic strips offer new delivery potential

16-Sep-2009 - Probiotic firm Ganeden Biotech has launched a novel thin strip technology for the healthy bacteria, intended as an alternative supplement delivery system.

Danisco develops heat-resistant probiotics

15-Sep-2009 - Ingredients giant, Danisco, has developed a processing technology it says “toughens up” probiotic cultures to extend high bioavailability shelf-life beyond five months.

‘Designer probiotics’ may ambush gut pathogens

08-Sep-2009 - Specially ‘designed’ probiotics may prevent the development of disease during gut infections of bacterial pathogens, according to new research presented today.

Dannon shares key to probiotic marketing success

02-Sep-2009 - Communicating the digestive or immune health benefits of probiotic products is a better way to reach consumers than highlighting the term ‘probiotic’, according to dairy giant Dannon.

Digestive health products are No.1 functional food, global study

01-Sep-2009 - Digestive health is the primary focus of food products marketed around the world for an added health benefit – except in the United States, reveal new market figures.

Danone: Everyday gut problems eased by probiotics

01-Sep-2009 - Daily consumption of a probiotic fermented milk product may improve gut health and well-being in women with everyday digestive problems, says a new study from Danone.

Could GM offer the next generation of probiotics?

21-Aug-2009 - A look into the probiotic crystal ball reveals that genetically engineered "friendly" bacteria could be switched on by specific prebiotic sugar, possibly leading to a new generation of pre- and probiotic products.

Could probiotics protect us from gut parasites?

20-Aug-2009 - The gut health boosting effects of probiotics may also extend to preventing and eradicating parasitic infections, according to ‘early data’ from the US.

Probiotics may reduce cold and 'flu symptoms for children

30-Jul-2009 - A daily supplement of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may reduce the incidence of cold and 'flu-like symptoms in children by 50 per cent, says a new study from Danisco.

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