Current Marketplace for Probiotics: A Japanese Perspective

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 46; no. Supplement-2; pp. S73 - S75
• Main Author: Amagase, Harunobu
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01-02-2008; University of Chicago Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Bifidobacterium; Biological and medical sciences; Drug Industry - economics; Drug Industry - legislation & jurisprudence; Drug Industry - trends; Drug regulation; Drug therapy; Food Industry - economics; Food Industry - legislation & jurisprudence; Food Industry - trends; Food Labeling; Food law; Food Microbiology; Food, Organic - economics; Food, Organic - standards; Government Regulation; Health foods; Health Promotion; Humans; Infectious diseases; Japan; Lactic acid bacteria; Lactobacillus; Market analysis; Medical sciences; Medicine; Nonprescription drugs; Probiotics; Probiotics - economics; Probiotics - standards; Probiotics - therapeutic use; United States history; Asia; Japan; Infection; Probiotic
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• 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.