S.K. Dash Receives Award for Probiotic Innovations

EDINA, Minn.—S.K. Dash will receive the Distinguished Alumni of South Dakota State University award for his contributions to research, development and expanded awareness of probiotics.

Dash will be honored at a banquet on October 24 and at the 2014 Hobo Day parade and football game on October 25 in Brookings, South Dakota.

Dash is credited for his probiotic innovation, which has grown from USD $10 million ten years ago to about $35 billion today. He received his Ph.D. from South Dakota State University in 1973 and worked as a director at South Dakota State. Later he established his probiotic company in Minneapolis in 1979. The pioneering probiotic products developed by Dash are now distributed in 55 countries worldwide.

Dash is actively involved in social and philanthropic activities in the United States and abroad. He has helped build Kalinga Hospital, a world-class hospital in India, and Hindu Mandir, the largest temple in the United States. Dash has established probiotic innovation centers and endowed chairs at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, India, and South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. 

In addition, Dash has served as director and/or president of the Orissa Society of America, Hindu Society of Minnesota, India Association of Minnesota, Kalinga Hospital, Hospital Corporation of Orissa, International Probiotic Association and others. Dash has assisted many students in higher education and more than 300 students for higher studies, and he presents cash awards to students in United States and India. He has also sponsored high schools, colleges and orphanages in India. Dash has received honors and recognition from Minnesota State, the Orissa Society of America, Orissa State, the Minnesota India Association and many others for his probiotic innovation and philanthropy.

For more information on probiotic ingredients, download INSIDER’s Digital Issue “Probiotics: New Trends with Old Roots."