Yakult to host probiotics seminar

TORRANCE, Calif. In conjunction with the American Dietetic Association's Annual Food & Nutrition Conference in Chicago, probiotics company Yakult will hold a free probiotics seminar for dietitians Oct. 28, the company announced Thursday.

"The concept of probiotics is new to American dietitians,” stated Rhonda Weidelman, health advisory board member for Yakult, who is giving the presentation. “Patients are turning to their dietitians for advice on these commercially-available products [and] I hope to provide other dietitians with a clear view on probiotics, what they are and how they can benefit their patients' health."

Yakult cited the need for educating dieticians on the benefits of probiotics given reports that North Americans will purchase roughly $1.7 billion worth of probiotic products per year by 2013.