Health Canada Approves Oral-Health Probiotic

Patented probiotic strain BLIS K12 has now been approved for an oral-health claim in Canada. Products containing BLIS K12 can now claim to “promote oral health,” because BLIS K12, also known as Streptococcus salivarius strain K12, has been shown to help re-colonize the oral cavity with healthy bacteria.

BLIS K12 can also bear the following claims:

• An “oral probiotic for re-colonization of the oral cavity after antibiotic treatment”
• “Following oral antimicrobial rinsing, Streptococcus salivarius K12 supplementation helps reduce volatile sulfur compound levels (halitosis)”
• And “can help reduce the incidence of Streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis (sore throats caused by pathogenic variants belonging to the Streptococcus genus”

BLIS K12 partners, distributor Stratum Nutrition (St. Charles, MO) and New Zealand–based BLIS Technologies, announced the news. “Stratum was pleased to be able to use our regulatory expertise in North America to open up the Canadian market for BLIS K12, and we expect the strong efficacy claims that were approve to really resonate with Canadian consumers," said Kevin Ruff, PhD, director of scientific and regulatory affairs for Stratum, in a press release.

In addition to the health claim, Health Canada has granted BLIS K12 a natural product number.

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine
jennifer.grebow@ubm.com