Usually, when we hear the word “bacteria,” we think of filthy spaces, food poisoning, disease, and overall unpleasantness. But bacteria are also essential to maintaining our physical health and wellness.

The bacteria living in our bodies, in addition to a variety of single-celled organisms, all make up what is called the microbiome. Probiotics can help control your microbiome, but just how are probiotics manufactured?

How Are Probiotics Manufactured?

To be considered a probiotic, a supplement needs to meet all the requirements set forth by the 2002 Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization definition of a probiotic:

  1. It is a microorganism.
  2. It needs to be alive.
  3. It needs to be administered.
  4. It must be administered in sufficient amounts.
  5. It must have a health benefit.

Mirroring the five components of a probiotic are the five steps to the probiotic manufacturing process:

  1. Strain selection
  2. Media formulation
  3. Fermentation
  4. Centrifugation
  5. Blending and bottling

Contract Probiotics Manufacturers

Probiotics are fragile, finicky organisms (microorganisms, to be exact), so supplement companies will often partner with experts in the field. Probiotic ingredients can be difficult to encapsulate, can be easily destroyed, and need to be processed in a way that will make them easier for the body to absorb.

Private label supplement companies do well to select a probiotics manufacturer that not only specializes in these ingredients but also adheres to good manufacturing practices (GMP) and current good laboratory practices (cGLP). It’s important to choose a company that has:

  • Experience
  • Contaminant-free (solvent) facilities
  • In-house analytical capabilities
  • Conservation practices and reduced waste policies

Do Probiotics Need FDA Approval?

Probiotics classify as supplements, so in the United States, probiotic suppliers do not need FDA approval. In fact, no probiotic health claims have ever been approved by the FDA.

What Are the Top 3 Probiotics?

The human body has an estimated 39 trillion microbial cells that include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When your bacteria levels are maladjusted, your body can suffer in a variety of ways. The three most common bacteria used by the probiotic manufacturing process are:

  1. Lactobacillus enhances growth factors and decreases intestinal permeability (“leaky gut syndrome”).

  2. Bifidobacterium helps maintain the microbial barrier against unacceptable bacteria.

  3. Bacillus enhances gut health and has a protective layer that allows it to survive stomach acid and make it to the small intestine, where it multiplies.

How Do You Make Your Own Probiotics?

Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt are sources of probiotics, as well as drinks like kefir and kombucha, and can certainly aid gut bacteria and digestion, particularly if very fresh and still vibrant with live microorganisms.

A manufactured probiotic might give those with persistent and stubborn gastroenterological concerns the big daily boost they need to get their system back on track.

High Quality for Small Business

If you’re ready to enter the supplement market and share your love of good health, or are already in the business but looking for a more efficient way to manufacture products, see how Soft Gel Technologies can support your small business.