Controlled human studies have revealed a diverse range of health benefits from consumption of probiotics, due largely to their impact on immune function or on microbes colonizing the body. This publication reviews the literature on probiotics, describes the characteristics of probiotics, discusses the microbes that colonize the human body, and explains how probiotics can treat and prevent disease. The paper also addresses safety issues of probiotic use, suggests future developments, and provides research and policy recommendations.

Protecting the public from food safety risks, while maintaining a viable agricultural and food industry in an open society, is a daunting task. Risk analysis provides a systematic and transparent process for gathering information, estimating risks, weighing options, drawing conclusions, and communicating information to arrive at decisions that meet broad societal needs. This paper identifies and defines the components of a valid microbial risk analysis and focuses attention on risk assessment strategies, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each.