Safety Aspects and Implications of Regulation of Probiotic Bacteria in Food and Food Supplements

Authors: Wassenaar, Trudy M.¹; Klein, Günter²

Source: Journal of Food Protection®, Volume 71, Number 8, August 2008 , pp. 1734-1741(8)

Publisher: International Association for Food Protection

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Abstract:

The application of living bacteria as probiotics in food or food supplements requires a careful safety assessment. This review summarizes key issues concerning the safety aspects of bacteria added to particular products marketed for improvement of general health or treatment of (post)infectious symptoms. The bacteria used in such products should be completely safe; however, it can be challenging to provide evidence for absence of all virulence properties. In some cases, virulence factors have been detected in probiotic bacterial strains, and the implications of these traits for safety assessments are discussed. Horizontal gene transfer can result in acquisition of virulence genes or antimicrobial resistance in probiotic bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance in these bacteria can possibly aid the spread of undesired resistance in intestinal bacterial populations. The relative risk of such gene transfers is considered. The generation of complete bacterial genome sequences can both resolve and create safety issues. Current practices of safety assessment procedures in the United States and the European Union are briefly reviewed and a future outlook is provided.

Document Type: Review article

Affiliations: 1: Molecular Microbiology and Genomics Consultants, Zotzenheim, Germany 2: Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, D-30173 Hannover, Germany

Publication date: 2008-08-01

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First published in 1937, the Journal of Food Protection^®, is a refereed monthly publication. Each issue contains scientific research and authoritative review articles reporting on a variety of topics in food science pertaining to food safety and quality. The Journal is internationally recognized as the leading publication in the field of food microbiology with a readership exceeding 11,000 scientists from 70 countries. The Journal of Food Protection^® is indexed in Index Medicus, Current Contents, BIOSIS, PubMed, Medline, and many others.

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Safety Aspects and Implications of Regulation of Probiotic Bacteria in Food and Food Supplements

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