Amagase Harunobu
FreeLife International, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, USA.
Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Feb 1;46 Suppl 2:S73-5; discussion S144-51. doi: 10.1086/523338.
In Japan, probiotics are available as both foods and drugs. Unlike in the United States, probiotics have a long history of cultural acceptance and safe use in Japan. Sales are booming, which may reflect the inception of the regulatory category "foods for specialized health use" (FOSHU), which permits labeling with claims that describe health benefits. A total of 65 probiotic products, containing 16 different strains, are listed among the 579 FOSHU products. Since the US market for probiotics is still small, it has substantial room to grow.
在日本，益生菌既作为食品也作为药品存在。与美国不同，益生菌在日本有着长期被文化接受且安全使用的历史。其销售额正在蓬勃增长，这可能反映了“特定保健用食品”（FOSHU）这一监管类别的确立，该类别允许在标签上标注描述健康益处的声明。在579种特定保健用食品中，共有65种含有16种不同菌株的益生菌产品被列出。由于美国益生菌市场规模仍然较小，其增长空间巨大。
