On 2 December, Brussels will host a high-level policy event that could reshape the economics of Europe’s probiotic sector. Organised by the International Probiotic Association Europe (IPA Europe), the meeting, titled “Exploring Probiotics in the EU: From Policy Dialogue to Socio-Economic Impact and Consumer Awareness”, will bring together EU policymakers, regulators, scientists and industry to debate how clearer rules could unlock growth, innovation and public health savings.

At the heart of the event is a new socio-economic assessment (SEA), commissioned by IPA Europe from an external expert and based on OECD and EU Better Regulation methodologies. The study examines how a more enabling regulatory framework for probiotic foods and food supplements could translate into economic value, in term of reduction of  healthcare expenditure . It compares scenarios with and without probiotic use in seven areas supported by strong scientific evidence, with a focus on microbiome and gut health, immune support and food-related well-being.

For businesses, the current regulatory vacuum in the EU has very tangible costs. While the term “probiotic” has been recognised internationally since the 2001 WHO/FAO definition and is formally accepted in markets such as the US, Canada, Brazil and several Asian countries, the EU still lacks a harmonised legal category for probiotic foods and food supplements.  In practice, this forces companies to navigate a patchwork of national rules: Italy, France, Spain and other Member States have developed their own guidance, while others accept the term on supplements only. Multiple label versions, fragmented compliance strategies and legal uncertainty all increase production costs and weigh on investment decisions.

IPA Europe argues that this situation undermines the single market and erodes the EU’s position in a fast-growing global sector. Clear EU-wide criteria for using the term “probiotic” – including strain-specific identification, safety and stability requirements, minimum effective dose and shelf-life viability – would provide a level playing field, support innovation and give consumers transparent information at the point of sale.  The association also stresses that moving beyond a narrow, health-claim-only approach would align with the European Commission’s broader Vision for Agriculture, as well as its strategies on biotechnology, life sciences and preventive healthcare.

The Brussels event will open with market insights on the current state of the probiotic sector in Europe and worldwide. A panel debate with representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, scientific bodies and consumer-facing organisations will then explore how a coherent EU framework for probiotics could simultaneously boost competitiveness, safeguard consumers and support public health objectives.

A press briefing immediately after the meeting is expected to amplify the policy debate beyond the room. For industry players, the event offers a rare opportunity to see their regulatory challenges translated into economic language that resonates with finance ministries and competition-minded policymakers. For Brussels decision-makers, it provides a data-driven basis to revisit the EC  2007 guidance that is widely seen as outdated and out of step with both science and the market.

Ultimately, the question facing the EU is not whether probiotics matter — the science and consumer demand suggest they do — but whether Europe is prepared to give this category a clear, predictable framework that allows companies to invest and innovate at scale. On 2 December, IPA Europe hopes to move that conversation decisively forward.