FAQs

Yakult is a fermented milk drink, which contains Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota. This bacteria strain is unique to Yakult and is scientifically proven to survive the gastrointestinal tract.

There is a minimum of 2 x 10¹⁰ (20 billion) colony forming units (CFUs) of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota in every 65ml bottle. The product undergoes stringent quality control checks to ensure this.

The Yakult products sold across the UK and Ireland are made in the Yakult factory in Almere (the Netherlands) which is open to visitors all year round.

We suggest one bottle a day. However, it is fine to drink more than one a day as part of a balanced diet.

Yakult is a fermented milk drink and not a yoghurt, because it does not contain yoghurt starter cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). The milk is fermented by the product’s single bacterial strain; the probiotic and lactic-acid producing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota.

Although Yakult is a food and not a medicine, healthcare professionals may decide to recommend probiotics to patients.

To our knowledge, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota does not interfere with the efficacy of any medication. Yakult is a food that has been consumed for over 80 years, and there have been no reports of interference with medicines reported from any human studies or from healthcare professionals. If you have any concerns, please contact us.

Yes, Yakult is suitable for people on antibiotics. However, we would recommend leaving 2 hours between taking antibiotics and drinking Yakult, as some antibiotics may have an impact on the efficacy of the bacteria in Yakult.

Yes, Yakult is suitable for people on antibiotics. However, we would recommend leaving 2 hours between taking antibiotics and drinking Yakult, as some antibiotics may have an impact on the efficacy of the bacteria in Yakult.

Children can drink Yakult as part of a healthy balanced diet once they are introduced to solid foods, but should not be used to replace breast milk or infant formula milk. When giving a young infant or child Yakult, the product should then be taken in conjunction with their normal diet and we would suggest diluting it and giving a smaller amount.

Yakult is suitable for people with diabetes, as part of a healthy balanced diet. If a patient who has diabetes would like to have Yakult this should be incorporated as part of their carbohydrate intake (see nutritional information). It may be better to choose Yakult Balance and drink it with a meal.

Yakult contains very little lactose (approximately 1g per bottle) so in most cases people who have a lactose intolerance can drink Yakult.

No. Yakult is made from skimmed cows’ milk so is not suitable for those with a milk allergy.

Yes. Yakult is gluten-free.