Dietary supplement, priobiotic trade groups issue guidelines

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, and the International Probiotics Association (IPA) released voluntary guidelines for the labeling, storage and stability testing of probiotics in supplements, food products and beverages.

CRN and IPA developed the labeling guidelines to provide information about the identity and quantity of probiotics in a product so that consumers can make informed choices. The organizations established stability testing guidelines to ensure that the stated shelf life of a given probiotic product is scientifically supported. The storage guidelines, meanwhile, are intended to facilitate the communication of storage and handling instructions to customers.

The guidelines take into account current U.S. laws and regulatory requirements. To learn more, read “Best Practices Guidelines for Probiotics” online at http://www.crnusa.org/self-regulation/voluntary-guidelines-best-practices/best-practices-guidelines-probiotics.