Probiotics drinks linked to 24 deaths
Pastor Dale Morgan
Probiotics drinks linked to 24 deaths*
'Friendly bacteria' products linked to 24 deaths
By Bruno Waterfield
Last Updated: 3:38am GMT 25/01/2008
Yoghurt health drinks are at the centre of safety fears after 24
patients died during clinical trials of probiotics, the dietary
supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria.
'Friendly bacteria' products linked to 24 deaths
Yakult says the drink 'has been consumed for more than 70 yrs by
millions of people'
The Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation (NPCF) has demanded an
investigation into dairy products, such as Yakult, that contain active
bacteria.
A spokesman said: "Yakult and other drinks contain probiotics and we
feel this research might create panic. It is up to the health
authorities to start investigations and respond to people's fears."
She said consumer watchdogs have long had doubts about the health claims
made by some products containing probiotics. "Probiotics may not be as
innocent as industry claims them to be," she said.
The manufacturers of some probiotics claim that they can combat
allergies, boost the immune system, tackle excess alcohol intake and
combat stress.
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A study by the Food Standard Agency in Britain last year concluded:
"More information on the impact of probiotics on the immune system would
be required to achieve a comprehensive overview of their efficacy in
humans."
Researchers at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht disclosed that
24 people had died between 2004 and 2007 during a study on whether
probiotics affected inflammation of the pancreas in 296 people.
An unknown number of those who died could still be alive if they had not
been given the probiotics, said the UMCU. Researchers warned that
"extremely ill" people should avoid consumer probiotic products.
Yakult says the drink is "a food and not a medicine".
A spokesman said: "Yakult has been consumed for more than 70 years by
millions of people. The drink contains Lactobacillus casei, a probiotic
with an extremely long history of safe consumption.
"This study is not related to Yakult or any Yakult products. These
severely sick patients received the bacteria directly into the intestine
via a tube, which differs from the conventional oral consumption of
probiotics," said the spokesman
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is awaiting a
report by the Healthcare Inspectorate before deciding whether to launch
its own inquiry.
Doctors in Holland have been told not to give probiotics to patients
with organ failure, those in intensive care or being fed through a drip.
The FSA said that manufacturers had to assure themselves of the safety
of these products to comply with food law. A spokesman said: "EU law
requires that any claims attributed to the consumption of foods are
backed by sound science and we are implementing a policy to authorise
such claims."