Objective: To assess the accuracy and helpfulness of labelling on products containing probiotic bacteria. Design and setting: 52 such products -44 from the UK (21 supplements, 15 fermented functional foods, eight 'health-care' products) and eight from continental Europe -have been tested for microbiological content, and results compared to the information available on their labels. Products were stored in the dark at 4ЊC and analysed before their expiry or sell-by date. Careful note was taken of wording on labels, package inserts, packaging, promotional literature and catalogue descriptions, as applicable. Products were cultured on appropriate bacteriological media, and organisms grown were counted and identified. Results: Bioyoghurts gave no indication of numbers, and only five accurately described their bacterial content; results of culture were usually satisfactory. 'Healthcare' products (mostly intended for the bowel) usually indicated the presence of bacteria, but the numerical content was hard to ascertain, and cultural results fell short of label claims. Supplements were sometimes incorrectly labelled in bacteriological terms, and often contained markedly reduced numbers and/or had extraneous strains and/or strains specified on the label were missing. Products from continental Europe (that were sold for specific medical indications) seemed of a higher microbiological standard. The potential pathogen Enterococcus faecium was found in nine products. The most successful of the new functional foods in Britain now contain probiotics, and probiotic preparations are prominent among the expanding range of nutritional supplements presently available to consumers. Conclusions: Our findings have public health implications, and suggest that improvements are needed in labelling and quality assurance procedures for products containing probiotic organisms. The presence of the potential pathogen Enterococcus faecium (intentionally or as a contaminant) in some products calls for a review of the value of this species as a probiotic.

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Deficiencies in DHA/EPA are widespread, but not widely recognised. The scale of the problem is difficult to assess, because targets for consumption vary and intakes are poorly measured, but most people in most countries eat too little. The principal policies to correct the shortfalls have been educational programmes urging people to eat more fish. Two problems limit this approach: many do not like fish; and there are not enough fish available if everyone ate recommended levels. One pragmatic alternative is to start with the popular foods people actually eat, then fortify them with DHA/EPA. The paper discusses technical options for doing this, and three problems: the scale of sales, the use of inappropriate forticants, and the costs. The key to reducing costs lies in obtaining new, larger, sustainable and cheaper sources of DHA/EPA. Major efforts to achieve this are underway the genetically modified crops and new sources of algae. The public health goal is affordable fortified foods consumed by billions, not just affluent, health-conscious minorities. It is a strategy for nutritional improvement without dietary change.

Cet article definira trois approches a Ia politique de nutrition, puis montre comment ils peuvent etre appliques pour creer Ia sante publique et les avantages economiques des ressources marines de Ia Tunisie. D'abord, il expliquera et exemplifiera une distinction fondamentale parmi des politiques de nutritionentre ceux qui essayent de changer des personnes et d'autres qui changent des nourritures. On change Ies choix de Ia nourriture des consommateurs, !'autre ameliore Ia composition alimentaire des nourritures traitees. Tous les deux sont necessaires pour une strategie comprehensive d'amelioration alimentaire. Apres, le papier elaborera le modele de WHO-HOW, montrant comment tousles membres de Ia chaine alimentaire peuvent etre les cibles utiles pour Ia politique de nutrition, et quels instruments peuvent influencer leur comportement. Apres Ia theorie, une certaine vraie pratique en matiere du monde. Le papier presente une analyse courte d'un des meilleures politiques de Ia nutrition du monde, qui vient egalement