Safety of BB-12 Supplemented Strawberry Yogurt For Healthy Children

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in sufficient amounts, may improve health. A common use for probiotics is in addressing gastrointestinal issues, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). As an alternative to supplements, probiotics are also included as ingredients in fermented dairy products to produce functional foods, which are foods providing health benefits beyond their nutritional value. Yogurt, for example, is a fermented milk product often considered a functional food. One of the most commonly used probiotics is Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12). Our Primary Aim in Years 1-2 is to conduct a pediatric randomized controlled study to establish the safety of BB-12 fortified yogurt in children. Our Secondary Aims are to examine the fecal microbiota of children prior to, during and following consumption of probiotics. This study will evaluate whether a well-defined, probiotic-containing yogurt can safely be used as an effective delivery vehicle for probiotics. This study is important to help advance probiotic research forward in a systematic, well-accepted manner. Our long-term goal is to create yogurt with sufficient probiotic dosages to positively impact many different aspects of childhood and adult health.