Probiotic Ingredients in Food: Everything you need to Know
What Are Probiotic Ingredients?
Ingredients in probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when consumed in sufficient amounts. They can be added to different food products either as a single strain of culture or a multi-strain culture.
Definition of Food with Added Probiotic Ingredients
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FSSAI Guidelines for Probiotic Foods
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) provides the following regulations for probiotic foods:
- Use of Ingredients
- Only probiotic cultures listed in Schedule VII or those approved by FSSAI may be used.
- Prebiotics can also be added in accordance with the standards set out in the rules for nutrient supplement regulations.
- Minimum Viable Count
- Products shall contain a minimum of least 10⁸ CFU/g (colony-forming units per gram) at the time of consumption.
- The label can draw a lower CFU but in justification to the factors of effective dose and approval of the Authority.
- Health Claims
- Medical health claims (to prevent, cure or treat diseases) are not allowed.
- Structure/function claims may be permitted with scientific support.
- Labelling Requirements
Probiotic food labels must include:
- The term “PROBIOTIC FOOD”
- Genus, species, and strain designation
- Viable number at the end of shelf life
- Serving size, storage conditions, and usage guidelines
- Warning: “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE”
- Any applicable cautionary notes, including side effects or drug interactions
Table 1: Common Probiotic-Rich Foods by Country/Region
Country/Region | Common Probiotic-Rich Foods |
India | Curd (Dahi), Idli, Dosa, Dhokla, Homemade pickles |
UK | Yogurt, Kefir, Sauerkraut |
Saudi Arabia | Laban (fermented yogurt drink), Pickled turnips |
Malaysia | Tempeh, Yogurt, Tapai (fermented rice) |
Singapore | Tempeh, Kimchi, Yogurt |
USA | Yogurt, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Pickles |
Europe | Kefir, Sauerkraut, Miso, Yogurt |
Australia | Yogurt, Kombucha, Kimchi |
UAE | Laban, Yogurt, Fermented vegetables |
Japan | Miso (fermented soybean paste), Natto (fermented soybeans), Pickled vegetables |
China | Fermented tofu, Suan Cai (pickled Chinese cabbage), Kombucha |
South Korea | Kimchi, Doenjang (fermented soybean paste), Makgeolli (fermented rice drink) |
Indonesia | Tempeh, Tape (fermented cassava), Oncom |
Thailand | Nam pla (fermented fish sauce), Pla ra (fermented fish), Fermented bamboo shoots |
Germany | Sauerkraut, Quark, Kefir |
Russia | Kefir, Ryazhenka (fermented baked milk), Kvass (fermented beverage) |
Viable Number of Probiotics in Food
According to FSSAI, probiotic foods must contain ≥10⁸ CFU in the recommended serving size per day. However, a lower count may be approved if provided verification from the scientific literature.
Are all bacteria in fermented products probiotics?
No. The presence of starter cultures such as Lactococcus spp. (formerly Streptococcus spp.), Lactobacillus spp., and other microbes added to fermented milk as a starter culture (e.g. curd/dahi) does not equal them being a probiotic. For something to be labelled as a probiotic there must be substantial evidence of a demonstrable health effect at the level of consumption. Without such substantiation, these microorganisms—though beneficial in fermentation—should not be marketed or interpreted as probiotics.
Note:For further clarification, refer to the guidelines by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), which provide additional scientific standards for the use of probiotics in food and supplements.
FSSAI-Approved Probiotic Microorganisms (Schedule VII)
According to the FSSAI amendment, which is effective from September 6, 2021, the following live microorganisms are officially recognised as probiotics in India under Schedule VII of the FSSAI regulations:
These organisms may be used alone or in combination in your product and must also be clearly labelled with full declaration on the product label. All strains must also be non-GMO. Probiotic Microorganisms Approved by FSSAI (Schedule VII):
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri
- Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
- Ligilactobacillus salivarius
- Lacticaseibacillus casei
- Levilactobacillus brevis
- Lactobacillus johnsonii
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
- Bacillus coagulans
- Limosilactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus caucasicus
- Lactobacillus helveticus
- Lactobacillus lactis
- Lactobacillus amylovorus
- 16. Lactobacillus gallinarum
- 17. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii
- 18. Bifidobacterium bifidum
- 19. Bifidobacterium lactis
- 20. Bifidobacterium breve
- 21. Bifidobacterium longum
- 22. Bifidobacterium animalis
- 23. Bifidobacterium infantis
- 24. Streptococcus thermophilus
- 25. Saccharomyces boulardii
- 26. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- 27. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei
- 28. Lactobacillus gasseri
- 29. Bacillus clausii
- 30. Established probiotic strains of Bacillus subtilis
The Food Authority is permitted to add further strains based on evidence-based knowledge. Time of Compliance: Food Business Operators (FBOs) must comply with this regulation by April 1, 2022.
Source: FSSAI Nutraceuticals Compendium (2021)
Table 1: Global Probiotic Products Available in the Market (2025)
| Product Name | Form / Product Type | Probiotic Strains / Composition | Key Benefits / Manufacturer |
| Lifeway Foods | Kefir drinks, dressings, smoothies | Live cultures in kefir | Gut health, immunity, skin, variety of flavors |
| Life-Space Broad Spectrum | Capsules | 32 Billion CFU per capsule | Digestive and immune health support |
| Nutri Botanics Complete | Veggie Capsules | 6 Probiotic strains + 2 Prebiotics | Digestive relief, anti-bloating |
| USANA Probiotic Powder | Stick Packs | 12 Billion CFU per stick | Gut health support while travelling |
| Biogrow Probiotics KIDS | Sachets | 6 Billion CFU per sachet | Children’s gut health |
| Garden of Life Women’s | Capsules | 50 Billion CFU, 16 strains | Women’s gut health, immune health, and vaginal health |
| Bioma Probiotics | Capsules | Multi-strain probiotic complex | Energy, focus, and gut balance |
| SMART STRAINS® from Dr. Megan Rossi | Capsules | Targeted strains for different health needs | Family probiotic support, suitable for children and adults |
| WillPowders Kombucha Sachets | Powder Sachets | Probiotic-infused, sugar-free drink | Kombucha alternative, low-calorie beverage |
| IM8 Daily Essentials (David Beckham) | All-in-One Drink | 92 nutrients incl. prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics | Comprehensive wellness drink (energy, digestion, immunity) |
| Aciforce | Freeze-dried supplement | Lactococcus lactis, L. acidophilus, E. faecium, B. bifidum | Biohorma (Netherlands) |
| Actimel | Probiotic yogurt drink | Lactobacillus casei strain Immunitas | Danone (France) |
| Activia | Creamy probiotic yogurt | Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bifidus Actiregularis) | Danone (France) |
| Bacilac | Freeze-dried supplement | L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus | THT (Belgium) |
| Bactisubtil | Freeze-dried supplement | Bacillus sp. strain IP5832 | Synthelabo (Belgium) |
| Bififlor | Freeze-dried supplement | L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, B. bifidum | Eko-Bio (Netherlands) |
| Hellus | Fermented dairy product | Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 | Tallinna Piimatööstuse AS (Estonia) |
| Jovita Probiotisch | Probiotic yogurt | Lactobacillus strain (unspecified) | H. & J. Brüggen (Germany) |
| Proflora | Freeze-dried supplement | L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii, S. thermophilus, Bifidobacterium spp. | Chefaro (Belgium) |
Can Probiotics Cause Side Effects? - Evidence Based Insights
Probiotics are normally regarded safe and effective, but some individuals raise an objection to side effects:
Common Side Effects:
Digestive discomfort: Gas, bloating or gas may be experienced with initial use
Allergic reactions: The individual may face this condition especially if they have an allergy to specific foods or mold
Infections: Generally seen in individuals with compromised immune systems or to individuals who have just undergone a surgical operation
Drug interactions: Drug reaction may be seen in those on antibiotics, or if they are taking immunosuppressants
Quality issues: With so much variability in probiotic product formulations, consistency could be a key aspect in its benefits
Strain specific effects: Each strain may not necessarily provide the same benefit To check for more evidence-based info on Probiotic, Read our article on Evidence-based Insights
Summary
Probiotic fortified foods can be a valuable component of a balanced and health- fostering dietary pattern, especially if they are of FSSAI scientific and regulatory compliance. Including a broader array of fermented food items in a day’s worth of meals may help foster gut health, support immunity, and improve the ability to absorb nutrients, so long as they are considered appropriately and dosed right.
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