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Yoghurt health drinks are at the centre of safety fears after 24 patients died during clinical trials of probiotics, the dietary supplements containing potentially benefic trial bacteria.The Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation (NPCF) has demanded an investigation into dairy products, such as Yakult, that contain active bacteria.A spokesman said: "Yakult and other drinks contain probiotics and we feel this research might create panic. It is up to the health authorities to start investigations and respond to people's fears."She said consumer watchdogs have long had doubts about the health claims made by some products containing probiotics. "Probiotics may not be as innocent as industry claims them to be," she said.The manufacturers of some probiotics claim that they can combat allergies, boost the immune system, tackle excess alcohol intake and combat stress.A study by the Food Standard Agency in Britain last year concluded: "More information on the impact of probiotics on the immune system would be required to achieve a comprehensive overview of their efficacy in humans."Researchers at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht disclosed that 24 people had died between 2004 and 2007 during a study on whether probiotics affected inflammation of the pancreas in 296 people. An unknown number of those who died could still be alive if they had not been given the probiotics, said the UMCU. Researchers warned that "extremely ill" people should avoid consumer probiotic products. Yakult says the drink is "a food and not a medicine".A spokesman said: "Yakult has been consumed for more than 70 years by millions of people. The drink contains Lactobacillus casei, a probiotic with an extremely long history of safe consumption."This study is not related to Yakult or any Yakult products. These severely sick patients received the bacteria directly into the intestine via a tube, which differs from the conventional oral consumption of probiotics," said the spokesman.The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority is awaiting a report by the Healthcare Inspectorate before deciding whether to launch its own inquiry.Doctors in Holland have been told not to give probiotics to patients with organ failure, those in intensive care or being fed through a drip.The FSA said that manufacturers had to assure themselves of the safety of these products to comply with food law. A spokesman said: "EU law requires that any claims attributed to the consumption of foods are backed by sound science and we are implementing a policy to authorise such claims."As in the days of Noah....
