Yogurt health drinks are at the center of safety fears in Europe after 24 patients died during clinical trials of probiotics (the dietary supplements containing "beneficial" bacteria).The Dutch Patient and Consumer Federation has demanded an investigation into dairy products, such as Yakult, which contain active bacteria. A spokesman said: "Yakult and other drinks contain probiotics and we feel this research might create panic. It is up to the health authorities to start investigations and respond to people's fears." She added: "Probiotics may not be as innocent as industry claims them to be."
Researchers at the University Medical Center in Utrecht disclosed that 24 people had died between 2004 and 2007 during a study on whether probiotics affected inflammation of the pancreas in 296 people. An unknown number of those who died could still be alive if they had not been given the probiotics, researchers said.
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