Luc De Vuyst.pdf - ICoMST Contact Point

Important considerations
Health-promoting properties/mechanisms are STRAIN-SPECIFIC and
MATRIX-DEPENDENT
Unfortunately:
- misuse of the probiotic concept by food manufacturers, in particular by
not specifying the probiotic strain used, which indicates the need for a
correct typing and food labelling plus freely accessible easy-tounderstand
documentation
- no bacteria present, other bacteria present, or no viable bacteria
present at the time of consumption (Temmerman et al., 2003a,b)
- no safety evaluation (use of species known to be at the borderline of
causing disease)
- no demonstration of health-promoting effects
De Vuyst, Avonts & Makras (2004). Woodhead Publishing, Ltd., Cambridge, UK