Smug L N, Salminen S, Sanders M E, Ebner S
Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Wrocław University of Economics, Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Itäinenpitkäkatu 4 A, 20014 Turku, Finland.
Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Itäinenpitkäkatu 4 A, 20014 Turku, Finland.
Benef Microbes. 2014 Mar;5(1):61-6. doi: 10.3920/BM2013.0050.
Beneficial microbes enter the food supply primarily through fermented foods (largely milks) and addition of probiotics. Fermented milks are a significant component of the diet of some geographical regions, including Europe. The fermentation process serves to preserve safety, nutritional quality and palatability of milk. In addition, the microbes associated with fermented milks and probiotics are associated with human health benefits. However, in the area of health claims only one claim for beneficial microbes has been approved in the European Union, that is for yoghurt to improve lactose tolerance. We searched for health messages that include probiotics or fermented milks in nutrition guidelines and recommendations in thirteen countries of the EU plus Switzerland. Such messages are allowed when they are made by non-commercial government bodies. Our analysis revealed that five EU member states have national nutrition guidelines or recommendations that include either probiotics or fermented milks with live bacteria. This supports that some EU member states recognise health benefits associated with consumption of live microbes, even if commercial marketing claims are not authorised. Harmonisation between recommendations and approved health-claims would benefit consumers and public health.
有益微生物主要通过发酵食品（主要是牛奶）和添加益生菌进入食品供应。发酵牛奶是包括欧洲在内的一些地理区域饮食的重要组成部分。发酵过程有助于保持牛奶的安全性、营养质量和适口性。此外，与发酵牛奶和益生菌相关的微生物对人类健康有益。然而，在健康声明方面，欧盟仅批准了一项关于有益微生物的声明，即酸奶可提高乳糖耐受性。我们在欧盟13个成员国以及瑞士的营养指南和建议中搜索了包含益生菌或发酵牛奶的健康信息。当这些信息由非商业性政府机构发布时是允许的。我们的分析表明，五个欧盟成员国拥有包含益生菌或含活菌的发酵牛奶的国家营养指南或建议。这表明一些欧盟成员国认识到食用活菌对健康有益，即使商业营销声明未获授权。建议与已批准的健康声明之间的协调将使消费者和公众健康受益。
