IPA EUROPE MANIFESTO
Probiotics: what's in a name?
IPA Europe brings together a forum of leading producers of probiotic cultures, probiotic foods, supplements, nutritionals and therapeutic products
Press Package
IPA Europe and European Dairy Association (EDA) joint statement on probiotics
For a better regulatory environment for probiotic food and food supplements in Europe
The science behind probiotics
Discover the 4 criteria to qualify microorganisms as “Probiotic” in foods and dietary supplements
IPA Europe's priorities: better information for consumers, better rules for the industry, better quality of life


Event of interest

 
IPA EUROPE
Call for a responsible use of the term 'probiotic'

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IPA Europe events

IPA Europe News

The IPA Europe 2024 Manifesto: Empowering Informed Consumers and Supporting a Sustainable Food Industry.

The IPA Europe 2024 Manifesto sets out priorities and recommendations. IPA Europe supports the European probiotic industry’s efforts to enhance competitiveness and ensure product quality, while promoting a consistent, innovation-friendly regulatory environment. Probiotic foods and food supplements, when consumed in adequate amounts, may offer benefits for gut health, digestion, and ...

EU Novel Food Status Catalogue

In March 2024, IPA Europe and the European Food and Fermentation Cultures Association (EFFCA) issued the information to their members regarding the European Commission’s revised Novel Food Catalogue, which was originally published on November 16, 2023. We have actively collaborated with DG SANTE to enhance the classification process and to ...

IPA Europe Press Release: a formal request for investigation is questioning the European Commission’s stance on probiotics

In a significant development for the probiotic industry, a formal request for investigation has been submitted to the European Ombudsman, questioning the European Commission’s stance on probiotics. The Association argues that the European Commission has inadequately addressed the concerns raised by the industry and provides sufficient elements to support this ...

What are probiotic microorganisms?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be formulated into many different types of products, including foods, drugs, and dietary supplements.

Species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are most commonly used as probiotics, but the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus species are also used as probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including species of Lactobacillus, which have been used for preservation of food by fermentation for thousands of years, can serve a dual function by acting as agents of food fermentation and, in addition, potentially imparting beneficial effects.

However, the term “probiotic” should be reserved for live microorganisms that have been shown in controlled human studies to accomplish their beneficial action. Fermentation of food provides characteristic taste profiles and lowers the pH, which can help in prevention of spoilage microorganisms and potential pathogens.

 

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