Probiotic fermented milks: Present and future

Milk and dairy products have been part of human nutrition since ancient times, constituting an important part of a balanced diet. Fermented dairy products containing living micro‐organisms have traditionally been used to restore gut health, being among the pioneers in functional foods. Such utilisation of live micro‐organisms forms the basis of the probiotic concept, which constitutes a fast growing market for the development of new products. In this article, we review the current status of fermented milk as a vehicle for delivery of beneficial bacteria and look into future new directions and challenges.