Yakult Australia

Dr Minoru Shirota (1899-1982) was a medical doctor and researcher at Kyoto University, Department of Medicine in Japan, who was particularly interested in preventative medicine. In Japan during the 1930s, there were a lot of illnesses related to the digestive system caused by malnutrition, poor sanitation and generally poor socio-economic conditions.

Between 1930 and 1935, Dr Shirota began developing Yakult by isolating 300 strains of bacteria. His objective was to isolate a beneficial bacterium that would be able to survive the trip through the stomach and bile acids to arrive alive in the small intestine, where it would assist the functioning of the digestive system.

Each strain Dr Shirota isolated was tested for acid and bile resistance. The most acid resistant was a strain of Lactobacillus casei, subsequently named Shirota strain in honour of the research he performed. Dr. Shirota then began incorporating the bacteria into a dairy based beverage in his laboratory. The result was the development of a fermented milk drink, known as ‘Yakult’.

Business commenced in 1935, and Yakult was produced and marketed all over Japan by a number of independent operators. In 1955, Dr Shirota founded Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., which consolidated the business and took control of all operations.

Since then, the Yakult group has continued to expand worldwide and today embraces nearly 200 companies in more than 30 countries and territories. The parent company, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is involved in the manufacture of a variety of products containing beneficial bacteria, particularly lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain

Today, Yakult is available in 30 countries and territories around the world and consumed by more than 25 million people everyday.