Exploring Probiotics in the EU:
From Policy Dialogue to Socio-Economic Impact and Consumer Awareness.
2 December 2025 | ACE Events, Avenue d’Auderghem 22, 1040 Brussels
At the IPA Europe event in Brussels on 2 December, experts discussed a new socio-economic assessment showing that enabling a stronger regulatory framework for probiotics could generate economic value—including healthcare savings.
Even small improvements of 1% in common conditions like colds, antibiotic-related diarrhoea, constipation, lactose intolerance, oral disease, bacterial vaginosis, and mental health could save billions for European health systems. Overall potential benefits exceed €10 billion annually and could be much higher. Yet, EU food policies still underplay nutrition’s role in public health and the preventive benefits of probiotics.The event featured presentations by George Paraskevakos (IPA Pre-Pro and Post-biotics), Prof. Ger T. Rijkers, and Michael Holland, followed by a panel with Lazaro Mojica Jonas (DG GROW), Debora Serra (EUFIC), Karen Vokes (IPA Europe), and Prof. Bruno Pot (ILSI Europe).
Communicating on Probiotics: Why It Matters
Clear, accurate information empowers consumers, supports responsible production, drives innovation,
and positions Europe as a leader where science, health, and food culture meet. Press Release here
Access the report “Socio-Economic Impact Assessment on Probiotics in Europe “ and the materials from the IPA Europe event “Exploring Probiotics in the EU” held on December 2. Please register to download the report and presentations.