The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
The US arm of Danone could be forced to make a multi-million dollar
refund to its customers over allegations that it has used
fraudulent health claims to sell some of its Activia and DanActive
branded yoghurts.
Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new
study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the
development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.
Chr Hansen has signed a conditional agreement to buy Swedish Arla
Foods' subsidiary Medipharm, a deal which will strengthen the
Danish firm's probiotic activities.
Experts at a Nestle-sponsored symposium on probiotics and
children's health have urged paediatricians to pay attention to
emerging research on so-called good bacteria, although more
research is needed on the mechanisms behind...
Chr Hansen has introduced a new probiotic mix for children, which
the firm is marketing in an easy-to-use format that can be added
directly to foods and drinks as a dietary supplement.
Morinaga Milk Industry announced this week that it has obtained
self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) certification for
one of its probiotic ingredients to tap growing demand in the US
for functional benefits in products.
International dairy and nutritional ingredients group Glanbia is
making its way into the North American omega-3 market with the
acquisition of the Canadian nutritionals business, Pizzey's
Milling.
The European food and beverage probiotics market is expected to
more than double by 2013, according to a market report, with the
proposed EU health claims rules presenting "untapped" potential.
A cheese containing a Chr Hansen probiotic has been launched in
Italy, a move which reinforces the growing trend for
companies to use probiotics outside of the traditional yoghurt pot.
The sensory aspects of cheese could be boosted by the addition of
prebiotic ingredients, in addition to improving the nutritional
profile of the product, suggests new research.
A third omega-3 enhanced spread is being planned by UK's Dairy
Crest - a move which rubber stamps the increasing trend for food
companies to take advantage of the health benefits of the fish oil.
Probiotic-containing drinks may help reduce diarrhoea among older
people receiving antibiotics, reports new research that could offer
savings to public health services.
Reuteran - a novel alpha-glucan produced by the bacteria
Lactobacillus reuteri - could be finding its way into
bakery and dairy products as a weight management ingredient, Dutch
scientists have reported.
