Probiotics industry: review of current challenges and the future roadmap

Abstract

Objective (s): Deaths from non-communicable diseases have become a major concern worldwide. Functional foods such as probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are effective nutritional factors in controlling non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study was to review and organize the existing situation and design the future roadmap. Methods: The present study was a qualitative study that conducted by the Society of Probiotic and Functional Foods in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Research of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2015. The policy brief was used in design and was formulated in three parts: cognition, orientation, and establishment of system. The information was collected through three methods of scientific resource review, stakeholder focus group discussion and written questionnaire. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. Results: The number of probiotic factories was 85 and 163 probiotic products had received production licenses in the country. The annual growth of the probiotic market from 2009 to 2014 was negative (54%). The policy focus areas for the development of probiotics and functional foods were distributed in three areas: legal policy, behavioral culture and operational structure and the development of this industry depends on planning and implementation in all three areas. Conclusion: To develop the probiotic industry it is necessary to increase the knowledge of policy makers and consumer groups about probiotic products. Indeed, investment security in this area be provided and a system be deployed to monitor the development of the industry and solve its problems.