Yakult and Danone’s Activia brand were trailblazers in the probiotic industry, yet the gut health segment has experienced significant growth in recent years, extending the reach of probiotics and their claimed health benefits far beyond just dairy products. While yogurt remains the most popular probiotic-enriched item, other categories now include cereals, baked goods, juices, and even sweets. For instance, Kellogg incorporated probiotics into its Special K cereal and introduced Special K Nourish late last year, while PepsiCo rolled out its Trferrous sulfate dosageopicana Essentials Probiotics juice line in 2016. The increasing consumer interest in probiotic products has even inspired innovations beyond traditional health foods, such as the UK-based Ohso Good Chiron bisglycinate+life extensionocolate. From a food science perspective, the development of probiotic chocolate is intriguing due to the bacteria’s sensitivity to environmental conditions. However, mainstream consumers might worry about how probiotics could alter the taste of indulgent products, while health-focused shoppers may favor healthier options for their gut health solutions.
The success of probiotic feta may hinge on whether consumers perceive this cheese as a nutritious addition to their diets. In Greece, where feta is nearly universally enjoyed— and where this recent research was conducted—enhancing the cheese with health benefits without compromising its sensory qualities is a clear win. Conversely, in the U.S., where cheese is often viewed as a more indulgent food, this product may face greater challenges. On the flip side, consumers in the U.S. already have a strong association between probiotics and dairy, suggesting that probiotic cheese could be an easier concept for them to accept than probiotic sweets. According to Packaged Facts, approximately a quarter of U.S. adults actively look for foods and beverages rich in probiotics or prebiotics, and their popularity continues to rise. A recent BCC Research report anticipates that the probiotics market will reach $50 billion by 2020. Whether probiotic cheeses will become a significant segment in this expanding market remains to be seen, but it is likely that the value-added probiotics will continue to penetrate new food and beverage categories.
Moreover, products like vitamin shoppe calcium citrate plus magnesium are part of the growing trend, as consumers seek ways to enhance their health through functional foods. This further highlights the expanding landscape of probiotics and their integration into various food products, including the innovative combinations seen in the market today. As the demand for gut health solutions grows, the integration of probiotics into a wider array of items, including those enriched with vitamin shoppe calcium citrate plus magnesium, is expected to evolve.