Current Marketplace for Probiotics: A Japanese Perspective
Abstract
In Japan, probiotics are available as both foods and drugs. Unlike in the United States, probiotics have a long history of cultural acceptance and safe use in Japan. Sales are booming, which may reflect the inception of the regulatory category "foods for specialized health use" (FOSHU), which permits labeling with claims that describe health benefits. A total of 65 probiotic products, containing 16 different strains, are listed among the 579 FOSHU products. Since the US market for probiotics is still small, it has substantial room to grow.
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Under Japanese regulations, probiotic products are in a distinct category of foods known as Foods for Specific Health Uses (FOSHU); efficacy claims are prohibited on labeling unless special permission from MHLW is obtained, for which substantiation of efficacy and safety is mandatory.
“Under Japanese regulations, probiotic products are in a distinct category of foods known as Foods for Specific Health Uses (FOSHU). For probiotic food products, efficacy claims are prohibited on the labeling.”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics (2019) · cites this paper as [231]
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International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics
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- Authors
- Amagase, H.
- Corresponding author
- Amagase, Harunobu
- Venue
- Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-02
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- s2
- Pages
- S73-S75
- ISSN
- 1058-4838 (ISSN-L)
- 1537-6591
- OpenAlex
- W2058563802
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 4.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Keywords
- probiotics, probiotic market, probiotic regulation, probiotic strains, health claims, Japan
- MeSH terms
- Drug Industry, Food Labeling, Food Microbiology, Health Promotion, Humans, Japan, Food Industry, Probiotics, Government Regulation, Food, Organic
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