Probiotics Safety Aspect of Functional Foods

Abstract

In recent years, interest in probiotics has increased as functional foods improve quality of life and consumers become more health-conscious. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that all common probiotics are safe for the general population. However, this definition does not guide the outcomes of using probiotics in people with diseases that favor them, as there are no strict regulations governing applicable trademark law and the manufacture of probiotics. For this reason, Probiotics are recognized to be beneficial for the majority of patients during treatment; however, patients with weakened immune systems may be at risk for bacteremia, endocarditis, and peritonitis. There are no necessary standards regarding safety and use protocols for probiotics. More information is needed on their use before recommending probiotics to treat or prevent disease in privileged groups. These products may be considered a public health concern by reviewing information on the use of probiotics to predict the likelihood of side effects in vulnerable groups (young children, the elderly, and pregnant women).