Criteria to qualify microorganisms as “probiotic” in foods and dietary supplements

The authors of this paper explain that the established scientific definition of probiotics can be translated into four criteria that determine whether specific strains of microorganisms qualify as a probiotic for use in foods and dietary supplements: the strains must be (i) sufficiently characterized; (ii) safe for their intended use; (iii) supported by at least one positive well-conducted human clinical trial; and (iv) alive in the product at an efficacious dose throughout shelf life. The paper details how each of these four criteria may be assessed, and how they may lead to greater alignment and understanding across academia and industry.

Binda S, Hill C, Johansen E, Obis D, Pot BD, Sanders ME, Tremblay A, Ouwehand AC. Criteria to qualify microorganisms as “probiotic'”in foods and dietary supplements. Front Microbiol. 2020;11:1662. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01662.