The document presents the conclusions of an expert panel convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) to discuss definitions and appropriate use of the term "probiotic".
The panel reaffirmed the FAO/WHO definition of probiotics as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host". The panel clarified inconsistencies between previous FAO/WHO reports and advanced the definition to account for scientific progress.
The panel concluded that certain health effects, such as supporting a healthy digestive tract and gut microbiota, can be reasonably expected from probiotic genera including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. However