Table 2.

Criteria for use as a probiotic, adapted from Borchers et al. [2009].

1. The organism must be fully identified: genus, species and strain

2. It must be safe for consumption:

• Not pathogenic or carrying antibiotic resistance genes

• Not degrading to intestinal mucosa or conjugating for bile acids

3. It must survival intestinal transit: Acid and bile tolerant

4. It must adhere to mucosal surface and colonize the intestine (at least briefly)

5. It must possess documented health effects:

• Produce antimicrobial substances and antagonize pathogenic bacteria

• At least one phase 2 study documenting benefit

6. It must be stable during processing and storage