The International Probiotics Association (IPA) is holding a global
conference on probiotics in 2008, thereby setting the stage for
discussion on standards and regulations for the so-called friendly
bacteria.
The ability of prebiotics inulin and oligofructose to enhance
absorption of calcium in the intestine is focussed in the colon,
suggests a new study with young adults that backs up animal
studies.
The National Yogurt Association is creating a probiotics council - another signal the active cultures have achieved mainstream status in North America.
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.
Probiotics manufacturer China-Biotics has signed an agreement with
Chinese dairy firm Bright Dairy & Food to supply probiotics for
its ice cream products, an application the companies claim is a
first in China.
The ability of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) to beneficially boost
gut health has received a significant boost as two studies report
the prebiotic efficacy of the ingredient.
Wilke Resources has been appointed as the new exclusive US supplier
Nebraska Cultures' probiotic raw materials for the nutritional
supplement market - news that enable more consultation on how
cultures can be used by the clients.
Probiotics, friendly bacteria with known benefits for intestinal
health, may boost the number of bowel movements and relieve
constipation, suggests a new pilot study from the Netherlands.
Chr Hansen's probiotic ingredients are to be used
in supplements marketed for children in Italy, thanks to
an agreement it says reflects the growing demand and opportunity
for pediatric probiotic supplements.
A €4.5m ($6.3m) investment in New Zealand firm EnCoate could help
it develop a technique to extend the shelf life of probiotics,
opening up the uses for the bacteria often found only in dairy
products.
A partnership between Warrnambool and the Dutch company Friesland
Foods has now been finalised, which will see a €30m factory
producing whey-based ingredients for the worldwide food and infant
nutrition market.
Danish ingredients firm Danisco has completed the expansion of a
new probiotic facility in Madison to ease supply bottlenecks and
meet ever-increasing demand from dairy.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is funding a Mayo
Clinic study following the work of the EU-funded Syncan
project, this time using prebiotics without probiotics, in relation
to colon cancer.
Probiotic-containing drinks may help reduce diarrhoea among older
people receiving antibiotics, reports new research that could offer
savings to public health services.
The potential uses of proteins and peptides to improve gut health
are to be explored through an industry-led collaborative project
launched by Leatherhead Food International today.
A newly characterised strain of probiotic bacteria may have
potential to kill Listeria monocytogenes, an often-lethal
pathogen in pregnant women, Irish researchers report.
Orafti has announced the launch of a new long-term study into the
potential effects of prebiotic infant formulae on the development
of the infants immune system and the incidence of allergy in
infants.
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants
after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new
clinical trial from Sweden.
Two low doses of the prebiotic inulin every day can efficiently
boost levels of beneficial gut bacteria, and reduce levels of an
enzyme linked to colon cancer, says a new study sponsored by
Belgium's Cosucra.
The International Probiotics Association has placed a new executive
director at the helm who is looking to bring transparency and
self-regulation to the growing global market for so-called friendly
bacteria.
The continued success of probiotics will depend on finding ways of
protecting the friendly bacteria during processing, opening up
opportunities for food ingredients and biopolymers, experts say.
Food giant Danone and Yokult Honsha have announced that they are
strengthening their probiotic scientific cooperation and extending
a previous agreement by an additional three years.
Probi probiotics are set to make their debut in India before the
end of the year after the Swedish probiotic company's partner
Institut Rosell signed an agreement with Aristo Pharmaceuticals.
France's Danone and Japan's Yakult will continue their strategic
alliance involving closer cooperation on R&D and entry into new
markets, maintaining their positions as leaders in the probiotics
market.
Regular consumption of unpasteurised farm milk may offer protection
from range of allergies, but the researchers cautioned against
drinking raw milk until more research is carried out.
Infant formula is getting increasingly more functional with
Nestlé's announcement this week that it is launching formula with
probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, BIFIDUS BL, for the
United States.
A combination of different probiotics strains reduces the ability
of potentially pathogenic bacteria to colonise the gut more than
single strains, says new research that proposes industry should
look to expand research in this area.
The Irish Commercial Court has judged that the Yoplait Essence
brand does not infringe on Danone's Essensis trademark, and that
the French dairy giant's trademark should be revoked, as it is not
a genuine market brand.
The agreements just keep rolling in for Probi after the probiotic
company announced a new license agreement with an unnamed, but
well-established European food company.
Nutritionists and policy-makers have put the issue of healthy
ageing way down the list of priorities, and the problem must be
addressed sooner rather than later, says a new report.
The strength of Danisco Cultures is reflected in the company's
financial report for the first nine months of 2006/7, in which the
division helped drive organic growth for both Bioingredients and
its overarching Ingredients sector.
Leatherhead Food International is proposing an industry
collaboration to identify end markets where use of prebiotics and
probiotics are likely to offer growth opportunities for the future.
Irish scientists report that a combination of five probiotic
strains may reduce food poisoning by salmonella, if results of
their pig study can be translated to humans.
Danisco has developed a new formulation of probiotics called Howaru
Protect, specifically targeted to reducing cold and 'flu symptoms,
and is exploring its use by the food, supplements and
pharmaceutical industries.
Chr Hansen and Valio are strengthening their relationship over the
popular probiotic LGG, giving Chr Hansen manufacturing and selling
rights to the strain for its use in food supplement products.
From double coating with soy peptides, to protection with whey
proteins, encapsulation of sensitive gut-friendly bacteria is
breaking new ground for probiotic food applications.
Chocolate mousse may be an excellent vehicle for probiotics and
prebiotics, suggests a new study from Brazil that is in line with
the trend for new ways of delivering the ingredients.
Honey produced by bees feeding on honeydew have more than double
the radical scavenging activity than honeys from nectars, says new
research from Spain.
The new nutrition and health claims legislation could prove
challenging for marketers of probiotic products due to the
different effects of different strains of bacteria, says a
nutrition scientist.
Friesland Foods is to enter a joint venture with Australian dairy
group Warrnambool as part of plans to help meet growing demand in
the country for prebiotic ingredients.
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