In recent years, the concept that probiotics are beneficial to health has been accepted by consumers, and various probiotic products have quickly entered thousands of households, among which live probiotic products are the most popular. So, what are the differences between live probiotic-type solid beverage and probiotic health foods?

Both of them are food, but the sub-categories are different

Food refers to various final products and raw materials for human consumption or drinking, as well as articles that are traditionally both food and medicine, but do not include articles for the purpose of treatment. Both live probiotic-type solid beverage and probiotic health food are foods, but they are different food categories: “Live probiotic-type solid beverage” is general food; “probiotics health food” is special food.

General food refers to various final products and raw materials for human consumption or drinking. It is eaten by ordinary people, and the human takes in various nutrients from it—that is, it is used to sustain life; special food refers to “health foods” and “food for special medical purpose” and “infant and young children formula food”—that is, it has a special purpose; health food can claim to have specific health functions, or food for the purpose of supplementing vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, suitable for specific groups of people, with the function of regulating the body. It is not for curing diseases, and shall not cause any acute, sub-acute or chronic harm to the human body—that is, it is used to maintain health.

Different “Function Claims”

“Probiotic health food” shall undergo strict evaluations of functional test, have clear and stable effects, and certain health function can be claimed, while “live probiotic-type solid beverage” as general food does not require evaluations of functional test. Therefore, it is not allowed and illegal to claim health functions.

Different “Signs and Labels of Outer Packaging”

Probiotic health food has the “little blue hat” logo and mark “suitable people”, “unsuitable people”, “iconic ingredients” and “intake”. Live probiotics-type solid beverage should comply with the labeling requirements of GB 7718 and relevant regulations.

Different Requirements for Main Raw Materials

The strain used in “probiotic health food” must be strain that can be used in probiotic health food issued by the national health administration ministry, and sufficient research data and scientific consensus can support its health functions. The strain used in “live probiotic-type solid beverage” must be listed in the list of strains that can be used for food.

Different Application and Approval Processes

“Probiotic health food” needs to be applied and reviewed in accordance with the Registration Application Process of Health Food, and the approval number is obtained before it can be officially produced and sold. “Live probiotic-type solid beverage” needs to comply with the requirements of general food, and it can be produced and sold after applying for and obtaining the production license.

Therefore, although both “live probiotic-type solid beverage” and “probiotic health food” are foods containing live probiotic, one is general food and the other is health food. They implement different management regulations and requirements and have different functions and consumers.