Commercial and regulatory frameworks for postbiotics: an industry-oriented scientific perspective for non-viable microbial ingredients conferring beneficial physiological effects

The current postbiotic commercial landscape is fragmented and lacks standardization. Postbiotics, defined here as non-viable microbial ingredients that confer beneficial physiological effects when administered through food and dietary supplements, require clearer categorization and nomenclature within both commercial and regulatory frameworks. This manuscript presents a comprehensive effort led by the International Probiotic Association (IPA), which organized structured meetings and informal discussions with members, regulatory agencies, and global stakeholders. The goal was to analyze technical and manufacturing processes, safety considerations, and regulatory implications in order to propose a unified…