ConsumerLab Reviews Probiotic Products

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.Many probiotic dietary supplements do not contain the amount of viable organisms listed on the label, according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com. According to the organization, only two of 13 products purchased for testing were found to accurately list the number of viable cells at time of purchase, with products containing only 10 percent to 58 percent of the listed amount. ConsumerLab noted in its report that many products were labeled with probiotic amounts at time of manufacture, although it said supplements are normally expected to provide the listed amounts of actives through expiration date.

ConsumerLab includes the names of companies involved in the review in its general news release, but doesnt indicate which ones passed or failed testing, nor the levels of active ingredients in the products. However, the reports with complete findings are available for purchase from ConsumerLab. The report on probiotic products provides findings for 14 products randomly selected for testing, as well as 13 additional products that passed the same testing under ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, whereby companies can pay to have their products tested by ConsumerLab. It also includes information about two products similar to those tested.