Yakult and Danone’s Activia brand were trailblazers in the probiotic industry, but in recent years, the gut health category has thrived, extending the reach of probiotics and their claimed health benefits well beyond the dairy section. While yogurt remains the most popular probiotic-fortified product, other items like cereals, baked goods, juices, and even candies have entered the market. Kellogg incorporated probiotics into its Special K cereal and introduced Special K Nourish late last year, while PepsiCo unveiled its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics juice line in 2016. The rising consumer demand for probiotic enhancements has spurred innovations beyond traditional health foods, such as the UK-based Ohso Good Chocolate. From a food science standpoint, developing probiotic chocolate is intriguing, given that the bacteria can be quite particular about their environment. Nevertheless, mainstream consumers might worry about how probiotics could alter the taste of indulgent products, whereas health-conscious shoppers might lean towards healthier options for their gut health needs.
When it comes to probiotic feta, its success may hinge on whether consumers view the cheese as a healthy addition to their diet. In Greece, where feta is widely consumed—and where this recent research was conducted—infusing the cheese with health benefits without compromising its sensory qualities is an obvious win-win. Conversely, in the U.S., where many consumers perceive cheese as a more indulgent item, this product may encounter greater challenges. However, consumers already have a strong association between probiotics and dairy, suggesting that probiotic cheese may be an easier concept to embrace than probiotic candies. According to Packaged Facts, approximately 25% of U.S. adults actively seek foods and beverages rich in probiotics or prebiotics, and this trend shows no signs of waning. A recent BCC Research report predicts that the probiotics market will reach $50 billion by 2020. Whether probiotic cheeses will emerge as a significant category within this growth remains to be seen, but it is likely that value-added options will continue to expand into new food and beverage segments, such as those incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate from Costco. As these developments unfold, the integration of probiotics into various products, including calcium citrate offerings, could pave the way for further innovations in the industry.