Guidelines for risk assessment of probiotic products in food

Probiotics are living microorganisms which are alleged to have positive effects on human and animal health.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has requested several risk assessments of products targeted at vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women and hospital patients.

To facilitate the work of the producers, NFSA and VKM, VKM has developed guidelines for risk assessment of probiotic products.

VKM believes that the guidelines will contribute to a greater transparency in risk assessments, because manufacturers will get an overview of required documentation and what VKM emphasizes in their risk assessments of probiotic products.

VKM believes that the guidelines will make it easier for NFSA to consider whether the manufacturer has submitted the required documentation and when it is necessary for NFSA to request a risk analysis from VKM.