Probiotics

Which foods contain probiotics?

Updated 4 Nov 2026

Short answer

Some yogurts do, and some foods have probiotics added. Yogurt is made with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, and it may also contain probiotics from Bifidobacterium or the Lactobacillaceae family.[1] Milks, juices, smoothies, cereals, nutrition bars and infant formulas may have probiotics added, usually named on the label with a strain code and a CFU count.[1]

Not every fermented food counts:[1]

  • Sourdough bread and most commercial pickles are processed after fermentation and have no live cultures.[1]
  • Many cheeses, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso and raw apple cider vinegar contain live cultures, but they do not usually contain proven probiotics.[1]

Sources (1)

  1. Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 2025. ods.od.nih.gov

More about probiotics

What are probiotics?Do probiotics change your gut bacteria?Is a higher CFU count better?What are probiotics used for?Do probiotics prevent diarrhea from antibiotics and C. difficile?Are probiotics safe, and who should avoid them?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.