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Abstract
The improvement of intestinal microflora is the main function of intestine-related healthy functional foods. In this context, probiotics, which have a beneficial effect on human health when ingested as live microorganisms, are an important component of functional food. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the as agents commonly used as probiotic bacteria. In reflection of the increasing recognition of the importance of the probiotics, new regulations and guidelines are being established to cover the functionality and safety of the probiotics. This article introduces some of the evaluations and guidelines being developed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, the Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate, and the Korean FDA. The beneficial effects of probiotics are known to be strain-specific. Therefore efforts to improve strain-specific characteristics are needed.
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