Choosing a probioticHow to choose a probiotic supplement
A step-by-step buying guide covering strains, CFU, format, dietary needs, storage, the label and the red flags to watch for.
Buying guides
Probiotic buying guides for UK shoppers
Our probiotic buying guides explain how to buy probiotics in the UK, step by step and in plain English. Written by the independent Probiotic Supplements UK team, they cover choosing a product, CFU counts, labels and storage without recommending any brand.
- Independent and brand-neutral
- Based on the rules in Great Britain
- Plain English, with no sales links
The guides
Four probiotic buying guides
Each guide answers one part of the buying decision. Read them in order if you are new to probiotics, or go straight to the question you have.
Choosing a probiotic
Strains and CFUUnderstanding CFU counts
What the big number on the pack measures, how it is counted and how to compare CFU between two products fairly.
LabelsHow to read a probiotic label
Each part of a GB food supplement label explained, with the claims that are and are not allowed and how to spot implied ones.
StorageProbiotic storage and shelf life
How heat, moisture and air affect live cultures, when the fridge matters and what to do if a product was stored badly.
Where to start
Where to start with probiotics
Most people arrive with one of a few questions, and each has a natural starting point. The suggestions below point you to the guide that answers your question first, then to the pages that fill in the detail. You can read the guides in any order, and each one links to the others where a topic overlaps.
If you have never bought a probiotic
Begin with how to choose a probiotic supplement. It sets out the checks in a sensible order, from strain names to storage, and explains why a responsible label will not promise to treat any condition. Once you have read it, the other guides will make more sense.
If you are comparing two products
Two packs can look similar and still differ a great deal. The CFU guide shows how to compare counts on a like-for-like basis, and the label guide explains where to find strain codes, allergens and the date the count applies to. Reading both side by side usually makes the differences clear.
If you already have a product at home
Check the storage instructions first, then the best-before date and the batch code. Our storage guide explains what to do if the product has been kept somewhere warm or damp, or left out of the fridge when the label asks for cold storage.
If you are buying for someone else
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has a weakened immune system or a serious illness, or takes medication should speak to a pharmacist or GP first. The same applies when buying for a baby or child. Our guide on how to read a probiotic label can help you check the ingredients and warnings, but no guide can tell you whether a product suits a particular person.
Go deeper
Probiotic types, strains and quality
The buying guides link to three reference pages that explain the building blocks of any probiotic in more depth.
Compare probiotic types
Capsules, powders and sachets, gummies, liquid drops and chewables compared, including which strains each format can carry and how each one is usually packed.
Probiotic strain guide
The main groups you will see on labels, from lactobacilli and bifidobacteria to Saccharomyces boulardii and spore-forming Bacillus species, with their newer names.
How to judge quality
The signs of a carefully made product, from clear strain names and an honest CFU declaration to protective packaging and complete label information.
Before you buy
How to buy probiotics with confidence
You do not need a science background to shop sensibly for a probiotic. A short set of checks, applied to every product you consider, will rule out most poor choices. Our step-by-step buying guide explains each one, and the list below is a quick reminder to keep in mind while you browse.
- Each culture is named in full, ideally with a strain code
- The CFU count is given per daily serving and to the best-before date
- The format and ingredients suit your diet and routine
- The packaging and storage instructions protect the cultures
- The label makes no promise to treat, cure or prevent a condition
What our guides do not do
The guides do not rank products, review brands or suggest what to buy, and nothing on this site is a substitute for advice from a pharmacist or GP. They explain what the information on a pack means so that you can judge any product for yourself. If something on a label still puzzles you, ask us a question and we will reply by email.
FAQs
Probiotic buying guide FAQs
Are these buying guides independent?
Yes. We do not sell or make supplements, and we do not recommend, rank or review brands or products. The guides explain what to look for so you can judge any product yourself.
Which guide should I read first?
If you are new to probiotics, start with how to choose a probiotic supplement, then read the CFU and label guides. If you already own a product, the storage guide is a useful place to begin.
Do the guides replace advice from a pharmacist?
No. They give general information about reading labels and comparing products. Speak to a pharmacist or GP before taking a probiotic if you are pregnant, take medication, have a health condition or are buying for a child.
Can I ask about a specific label?
Yes. Send us the details through the form at the top of the page and we will explain what the label says in plain English. We will not tell you which brand to buy.
Ask us anything the guides do not cover
Send us your question about strains, CFU, formats or labels and we will reply by email with a plain-English answer, without recommending any brand.