European Union-funded research on probiotics, prebiotics and new foods.

At the beginning of 1999, the European Commission launched the Fifth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (1998-2002), which has been conceived to help solve problems and to respond to major socio-economic challenges facing the European Union. Within its thematic programme 'Quality of life and management of living resources', Key Action 1 covers the subject 'Food, nutrition and health' with a total budget of 290 million euro. The key action concentrates on consumer needs, the competitiveness of the European food industry, the role of nutrition in health and well-being, and the safety and integrity of the food supply. Within this framework, research on probiotics, prebiotics and new foods is an important focus of the funding activities of the European Commission at present and in future.