Spore-forming bacteria as probiotics With the ever-increasing consumer demand for healthy and functional foods and beverages, probiotics offer a path for producers to differentiate products and meet the needs of more customers. In parallel, probiotics and ingredient companies are looking for ways to use new bacterial strains to deliver probiotic health benefits. However, working with these live and often sensitive microorganisms can be difficult. With their stability and resilience, spore-forming bacteria are gaining attention for potential health-promoting applications. Janneke Ouwerkerk, Department Head Microbiology at NIZO, explains the benefits and challenges of choosing a spore-forming bacterium as a probiotic.