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Intel BriefsINTEL_BRIEF · INT_25

Nutraceuticals · 2026.02.11 · 8 min

Probiotic CFU price ladder — strain economics

Per-CFU pricing varies 8× across the major probiotic strain families. The right strain mix for the right claim is now a procurement decision as much as a R&D one.

Figures and price bands are as of 2026.02.11. Indian FMCG input costs move quickly — re-check before committing to a quote.

Probiotic CFU price ladder — strain economicsINT_25

Branded strains vs generic strains

Branded strains (LGG, Lactobacillus DDS-1, Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856) charge 2–4× over generic equivalents. Premium is justified when claim files are demanded — branded strain owners hold the clinical dossier.

§ KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • 01Match strain to claim; over-broad multi-strain blends rarely beat targeted single-strain
  • 02Spore-formers (B. coagulans) offer best CFU economics
  • 03Branded strains buy claim defensibility — quantify the premium
  • 04Cold-chain spec varies by strain; budget accordingly

§ GLOSSARY

Technical jargon, acronyms and scientific terms used in this file — decoded.

CFU
Colony-Forming Unit — count of live probiotic cells; the standard label metric.
LGG
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG — the most-studied probiotic strain globally; owned by Chr. Hansen.
S. boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii — a probiotic yeast; uniquely resistant to antibiotics.
Spore-former
Bacterium that produces dormant, heat-resistant spores; B. coagulans is the prime example.
Strain-specific claim
Health claim substantiated for a specific named strain, not the genus or species in general.