Probiotics are “live microorganisms that may produce a beneficial effect in people by normalizing their intestinal flora.” Typical examples are lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.

Prebiotics refer to food ingredients that stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria. Ingredients recognized as prebiotics include various oligosaccharides such as galactooligosaccharides and some food fibers.

Prebiotics support probiotics and probiotics support intestinal health, and eventually the health of whole body. Probiotics and prebiotics produce the best effect when taken at the same time. In addition, it is important to take them on a continuing basis rather than taking them once.

The act of taking probiotics and prebiotics together, or consuming drinks and pharmaceutical products containing probiotics and prebiotics, is called Synbiotics.

The Yakult Group achieved the development of industrial application of galactooligosaccharides for the first time anywhere in the world.
They have come to be increasingly used in baby powder milk around the world due to the fact that they are a breast milk-derived ingredient.

Therefore, we deal with various systems necessary for international distribution such as GRAS affirmation*1 in the U.S. for food safety and the EU Novel Food Regulation*2, as well as Kosher*3and HALAL*4.

*1 GRAS Certification
A food certification generally recognized as signifying food safety in the U.S.
*2 Novel Food Regulation
A regulation to examine the safety of foods which are to be distributed in the EU on or after May 15th, 1997.
*3 Kosher Certification
Certification to prove that products are produced according to the codes of Jewish law strictly regulating the ingredients and production processes.
*4 Halal Certification
Certification to prove that products are produced according to the codes of Islamic law strictly regulating the ingredients and production processes.