Microorganisms conferring a health benefit to the host (FAO and WHO, 2002) are thus included if they are part of a culture used in a food fermentation process, whereas we have decided not to include microbial species of probiotic strains only used in supplements or over the counter (OTC) products.
As part of the process of reviewing the microbial species used in food fermentations, we also review the regulatory systems, some of the legal terms, and scientific criteria relevant for microbial food cultures (MFC). Accordingly, we have structured the review to cover:
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Regulatory systems and legal terms
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Scientific criteria
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Inventory of microbial species in food fermentations.