The Global Trends in Evaluation and Regulations of Intestine-related Functional Foods

Keun Uk Ji

doi:10.5124/jkma.2005.48.6.547

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 48(6); 2005 > Article

Ji: The Global Trends in Evaluation and Regulations of Intestine-related Functional Foods

Special Issue

Functional Foods

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2005; 48(6): 547-552.

Published online: June 30, 2005

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.6.547

The Global Trends in Evaluation and Regulations of Intestine-related Functional Foods

Keun Uk Ji, M.D.

Department of Human and Food, Seoul National University, College of Ecology, Korea. geji@bifido.com

Abstract

The improvement of intestinal microflora is the main function of intestine-related healthy functional foods. In this context, probiotics, which have a beneficial effect on human health when ingested as live microorganisms, are an important component of functional food. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the as agents commonly used as probiotic bacteria. In reflection of the increasing recognition of the importance of the probiotics, new regulations and guidelines are being established to cover the functionality and safety of the probiotics. This article introduces some of the evaluations and guidelines being developed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, the Canadian Natural Health Products Directorate, and the Korean FDA. The beneficial effects of probiotics are known to be strain-specific. Therefore efforts to improve strain-specific characteristics are needed.

Intestinal; Probiotics; Functionality; Safety; Evaluation

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