Organic Probiotics Review – USDA Certified Organic Products

Organic probiotics are sourced from ingredients that are grown or are produced with organically certified means. To be certain of the probiotic being organic, it should have the USDA organic certified logo on it.

The USDA (United States Depart of Agriculture) has a stringent criterion on what qualifies as organic. One ingredient in some probiotic supplement formulas, Maltodextrin, may come from GMO (genetically modified) sources.

For consumers who prefer to use organic probiotic products, there are a growing number of supplements that are certified as free of GMOs, including Sunbiotics Organic Probiotic Tablets, Vitacost Certified Organic Probiotics and Garden of Life Probiotics.

Organic foods enriched with probiotics are also available. Probiotic yogurts and milks are one popular option. There are also liquid drops, powders and chewable tablets that are suitable for infants and kids.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Probiotics Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Buying Organic Probiotics

Natural News has reported that most probiotics available in the U.S. have Maltodextrin as an ingredient, which can be sourced from genetically modified (GMO) corn.

Maltodextrin is made from barley, corn, rice, potatoes and wheat and is a starch thickener that is used as a food additive. Some probiotics can contain as much as 30% Maltodextrin.

These GMO products may be grown using insecticide toxins, designed to make the grain resistant to pests.

Other GMO ingredients may also be included and may not be listed as an ingredient because the FDA does not require manufacturers to list fillers and flow agents. This can make it difficult to determine which probiotic supplements are produced using organic ingredients.

The best way to avoid buying products with GMO fillers or ingredients is to buy products with the USDA certified organic label.

USDA Organic Certified Probiotics

To be able to use the USDA certified organic label, all probiotic products have to be produced without excluded methods, such as genetic engineering, ionizing radiation or sewage sludge. The following are also prohibited:

• Irradiation
• Synthetic fertilizers
• Prohibited pesticides
• Antibiotics and growth hormones
• Soil and water conservation practices
• Pollution reduction
• 100% organic feed
• No genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

They must also only use substances that are overseen by the USDA organic program authorized certifying agent following USDA organic regulations.

If the product is not organically certified, but is organic, it cannot state organic on the principle information panel and the USDA organic seal cannot be used on the packaging.

The manufacturer can identify on the information panel the percentage of organic ingredients used.

Organic Probiotic Brands

The process of becoming USDA Certified Organic is extensive and only a small number of brands have gone through the certification process. Other probiotic supplements may be manufactured according to organic standards, but only companies that have been certified by the USDA can bear the Organic seal.

Some companies may advertise that their probiotics are non-GMO as a proxy. However, these supplements may contain some non-organic ingredients.

One popular brand of organic probiotic capsules is the Garden of Life Raw Probiotics line. This company sells 10 different probiotic supplements, formulated for the needs of different groups and health conditions.

A popular product is the Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care which contains beneficial strains of Bifidobacterium. The product contains 34 different strains of probiotics to promote diversity in the microflora, as well as added digestive enzymes.

Sunbiotics Organic Chewable Probiotics are USDA organic certified. This supplement contains 18 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium longum.

The supplement also contains organic Yacon Root, which is a natural prebiotic that supports the growth of probiotic bacteria. Sunbiotics Organic Probiotics are also free of dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, yeast, refined sugar, corn, artificial flavors and preservatives.

Vitacost Certified Organic Probiotics Powder is used as a food additive or can be mixed into water or juice. Each serving of this probiotic provides 20 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium longum.

The supplement also provides an organic prebiotic blend of Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) sources from yacon root and acacia gum fiber. This supplement is intended for adults, but some parents like to give it to their young children since it is easier to administer the powder compared to swallowing capsules.

Organic Probiotic Foods

Probiotic bacteria are found naturally in a number of different food sources. Yogurt, cheese, milk, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, pickles, sourdough bread, tempeh and soy sauce can all contain small numbers of probiotic organisms.

When using foods as a primary source of probiotics, it can be difficult to determine which strains of bacteria are present and how many viable colony forming units are provided in each serving.

However, more companies are enriching their foods – particularly milk and yogurt – with added probiotics. These products will specify what strains have been added and how many CFUs are found in each serving. Look for a minimum of 1 billion CFUs per dose.

Organic probiotic foods should also bear the USDA label specifying that they are produced according to organic regulations. Check with your local health food store to find out what products are available.

Organic Probiotic Side Effects

Buying organic probiotics can help avoid the potential negative health effects of GMO-based products. Probiotics in general are considered to be very safe when used appropriately, with a low incidence of side effects in healthy adults.

Probiotics do interact with antibiotics so they should be taken either two hours before or two hours after taking medications.

Organic probiotics should be avoided by those with impaired immune systems because live bacterium is used in the cultures. Immune suppressive conditions can increase the risk of complications from using probiotics. If you are currently using immunosuppressant medications, steroids, corticosteroids or glucocorticoids, probiotics are contraindicated.

Organic probiotics have to go through the USDA certification program to be able to use the USDA Organic certified label. To make sure the products do not contain GMO ingredients, it is best to buy only USDA organic certified probiotics.

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