This month, we celebrate the 100th issue of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) newsletter. A look back at the inaugural issue reveals an organization clear in its mission from the start: “Greetings from IPA, your place for all things probiotic.”
The International Probiotics Association launched its newsletter, “IPA inSight,” in May 2017 (first photo). A redesign and an expansion of focus (second photo) reflect the impressive growth and global reach of IPA, leading to this month’s 100th edition.
We’re just getting started!
Our Journey
Yet IPA’s story begins even earlier. Founded in 1999, the non-profit brought together scientists, manufacturers, and other stakeholders into a unified community—one that would grow alongside the rapid expansion of probiotic research and health applications over the decades that followed.
When George Paraskevakos stepped in as Executive Director in 2015, and the newsletter launched two years later in May 2017, IPA was poised for transformation. What followed was rapid, tangible growth: under Paraskevakos’s leadership, IPA expanded from 38 member companies to 134 worldwide. Behind the scenes, the organization strengthened its foundation by creating 9 cross-disciplinary committees and 25 task forces to tackle pivotal issues, offering guidance, technical direction, and best practices across an increasingly diverse biotics landscape.
Building on its leadership in probiotics, IPA has expanded its scope to a broader framework,including prebiotics, postbiotics, and key market segments such as infant nutrition and companion animal health.
By working closely with scientists, regulators, and industry leaders, IPA helps ensure that innovation in the biotics field supports public health and delivers clear, accurate information. Today, IPA’s mission is to advance the science and responsible use of all biotics through rigorous, evidence-based research and global collaboration.
The association also sets expectations for how biotic products are developed and marketed, advocating for safe formulation, transparent labeling, and science-based claims to support responsible growth and public trust.
Reflecting its expanding global reach, IPA established a Brussels office in 2015 to represent the interests of the European industry. A decade later, the opening of an office in China marked another major milestone, positioning IPA within Asia, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing biotics markets. This strategic move supports direct dialogue with regulators, closer industry collaboration, and earlier alignment on science and quality.
Over the years, IPA has bolstered its internal structure with an expanding board of directors and various relationships with expert leaders in the field to shepherd scientific, regulatory, and management direction and decisions.
Education Outreach
Education is central to IPA’s mission and long-term credibility. The association supports learning and collaboration through an innovative conference pavilion, an engaging website featuring research deep dives, a thought-provoking podcast, and active social media outreach.
In 2025, IPA further expanded its educational efforts by strengthening its Probiotic University programming—delivering structured, science-based education to professionals and students—and advancing plans for a dedicated healthcare professional platform. Together, these initiatives empower professionals, foster accurate communication, and ensure that trustworthy science reaches those who shape public understanding and consumer trust worldwide.
Global Influence and Advocacy
Today, IPA is a global voice for biotics, with members in more than 40 countries spanning research, manufacturing, and industry leadership. Its scientific credibility enables direct engagement with key international and national authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Health Canada.
One of IPA’s signature achievements is its role as a non-governmental observer at Codex Alimentarius and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where it helps shape science-based global standards that promote quality, trust, and sustainable industry growth.
Throughout 2025, IPA actively engaged regulatory bodies and stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions—including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Korea, China, and Belgium— helping shape science-based standards that promote quality, trust, and the sustainable growth of the biotics industry.
George Paraskevakos shares his vision:
As the pre-, pro-, and postbiotics science advances, the challenge is no longer whether innovation is possible, but whether our scientific, technical, and regulatory frameworks can keep pace with that innovation.
We are seeing rapid progress across next-generation biotics, yet the absence of alignment across disciplines risks slowing translation from discovery to real-world impact. IPA has a critical role to play in helping bridge science, industry, and regulation by bringing stakeholders together to build shared understanding, practical guidance, and credible standards. IPA will champion clarity and collaboration to ensure biotics innovation is robust, scalable, and globally trusted.
Thank you for joining IPA on this journey.
Our shared passion for advancing global health through biotics is worth celebrating—and we look ahead with excitement to the next 100 newsletters.
