Food makers set to embrace live bacteria

NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Other U.S. food makers are planning versions of the health-oriented item following the success of Dannon's Activia, a yogurt filled with live bacteria.

After the Dannon Company product, which was marketed with a claim of helping regularity for its consumers, topped $100 million in sales during its first year, The New York Times reported that similar live bacteria-laden culinary items are in production.

While such probiotic foods have garnered an international reputation for being major health remedies, officials from groups like the Food and Drug Administration remain cautious of such a label.

"They are gaining a reputation as being good for you in some way, and there is an element of truth in that," nutritionist David Schardt said. "But it is a very narrow element of truth, in certain very specific diseases where it's been proven to be helpful."

Yet with Stonyfield Farm set to release a probiotic energy drink, TCBY already offering a probiotic frozen yogurt and similar products being sold by Dannon and Lifeway Foods, the growth of such products already seems underway.