What characteristics must a probiotic food-grade product have?
Bacteria contained in a probiotic food-grade product must be: • present as live cells and preferably in sufficient quantity, • stable and viable during the entire shelf life of the product, • capable of conferring health benefits on the host. The question of survival in the host’s gastrointestinal tract is not currently part of the definition, but it is considered an important criterion in determining whether a given probiotic is in fact able to confer its effects.
