UTRECHT, Netherlands, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Dutch experts are investigating the safety of healthy bacteria in yogurt and health foods after 24 patients died in the testing of probiotics, a report said.
The Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation has called for a study into dairy foods and drinks, including Yakult, that contain live bacteria, The Daily Telegraph reported from the Netherlands Friday.
"Yakult and other drinks contain probiotics and we feel this research might create panic. It is up to the health authorities to start investigations and respond to people's fears," a spokeswoman said.
Some probiotics producers reportedly made claims that their products can help prevent or reduce allergies, illness and stress.
Medical experts said 24 of 296 patients died during a probiotics study between 2004 and 2007.
A spokesman said the study was not connected to Yakult and that the administration of the product through a tube into the intestine of the seriously ill patients was different from conventional oral consumption of probiotics.
