What You Should Know About Probiotics (Science vs. Fiction)

How to Read a Label

Probiotics – Refrigeration – Potency

 

• Superior probiotic products guarantee potency of each strain of bacteria in colony forming units (cfu) through a printed expiration date.

 

• The correct microbiological measure for live bacteria is colony-forming units.

 

• If a product does not require refrigeration, the best test of efficacy is to look at its label.

 

• Each bacteria should be identified correctly by the genus, species and strain (e.g. Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1.

 

• The potency of each strain should be listed in colony forming units (not milligrams) and guaranteed though the printed expiration date.

 

• If manufacturers use milligrams to list the quantity of bacteria, they are citing a weight of bacteria, not a measure of live bacteria. Weight does not differentiate – live and dead bacteria still weigh the same.

 

• Some products state potency at time of manufacture, and there is no guarantee of potency at time of consumption.

 

• Non- refrigerated products cannot make a genuine potency claim, no matter how they disguise the fact by the use of words that imply a guarantee. (e.g. True Potency Guarantee).

 

• Some products have a “cocktail” of ingredients without any science behind the formulation. Bacteria are competitive and the more durable organisms do not provide the best health benefits.