🧬 Probiotic Guide: INFORM Hub Featured in FSA Annual Science Update
In the FSA’s recent Annual Science Update, the UK Probiotic Guide was highlighted as a key resource for bridging the gap between scientific evidence and public understanding, providing an excellent model for transparent evidence reporting—a testament to its value in supporting informed decisions.
🔍 What Is the UK Guide to Probiotic Products?
Launched as the first fully independent, science-led resource of its kind in the UK, this Guide was developed collaboratively by the INFORM Hub, University of Reading, University of Leeds, AEProbio, and a committee of probiotic experts.
It offers:
- Clear scientific evidence: Detailing strains, doses, and clinical applications.
- Unbiased guidance: Free from industry sponsorship or influence.
- User-focused design: Tailored for both healthcare professionals and consumers.
- Transparency and rigour: Systematically reviewing peer-reviewed studies and updating annually.
🛠️ Why It Matters
- Cutting through marketing noise
Probiotic products often come with broad or vague claims. This Guide ensures users choose products backed by solid clinical evidence, helping to avoid ineffective or misleading supplements. - Improving public and professional literacy
Many practitioners and consumers struggle to identify which strains are beneficial for specific conditions. The Guide supports better-informed debates and prescribing. - Strengthening regulatory insights
By systematically cataloguing claims, strains, and evidence levels, it supports clearer regulatory distinctions between authorised health claims and marketing language.
🩺 How to Use the Guide
- For healthcare professionals: Evidence tables indicate which strain-dose combinations are linked to outcomes like antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, IBS symptom reduction, and more—ideal for clinical decision support.
- For consumers: A transparent, easy-to-navigate interface lets users verify a product’s scientific backing, rather than relying on packaging claims.
- Formats available: Includes an interactive website, mobile apps (Android & iOS), and downloadable PDFs for offline use
📌 INFORM Hub’s Ongoing Role
The Guide aligns perfectly with INFORM’s aims to improve recovery from exercise, mental stress or physical illness through the consumption of prebiotics, probiotics and plant stanols. Its independent nature—without conflicts of interest—demonstrates our commitment to transparency and scientific integrity. And with annual updates, it remains current and responsive to research and regulatory changes.
✅ What Next?
Featuring in the FSA’s Annual Science Update underlines the importance and relevance of the UK Guide to Probiotic Products.
- Read the Annual Science Update from FSA’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Robin May. (see paragraph 5.8d for the INFORM Hub reference)
- Access, read, and share the Guide with clinical colleagues, dietitians, or patients.
- Integrate it into training modules or decision aids in practice.