Yakult Plant
The relevance of wellness and health-inducing habits has grown ingrained in people’s consciousness in the modern world, when maintaining one’s health has become a key issue in most civilizations and technology has increased the pace and reach of research and information distribution. In addition to the importance of exercise and healthy eating, many individuals now support the idea of taking probiotics to improve their overall health. Information on this issue and other health-related topics has become widely popular, with gut health being one area in which Yakult has been heavily involved.
Modern research has repeatedly demonstrated the significance of maintaining gut health for overall health and wellness, even though Yakult has been recognized to improve digestive health and well-being for nearly 50 years in the Philippines and 90 years in Japan.
I’ve become more mindful of my gut health, thanks to Yakult, which has helped me understand the vital role probiotics play in maintaining overall wellness. Their consistent advocacy and reliable information made me realize that taking care of my digestive system is just as important as any other aspect of my health. Learning about the benefits of probiotics, like those found in Yakult, made me realize how small daily habits can have a big impact on my overall well-being. It’s a reminder that being informed and making mindful choices can help me stay healthy in the long run.
Dr. Shawn Manske, Assistant Director of Clinical Education at New York-based Biocidin Botanicals, published a report about a study that he conducted titled Gastrointestinal Health: A Foundation for Whole-body Wellness. He said that recent research has illuminated the critical role that gut health plays in human physiology and disease.
Medical doctor and professor, Dr. Stephan Bischoff (2024), defines ‘gut health’ as “a term increasingly used in medical literature and by the food industry… (which) covers multiple positive aspects of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as the effective digestion and absorption of food, the absence of GI illness, normal and stable intestinal microbiota, effective immune status and a state of well-being.” (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3065426/)
According to Miami USA-based spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Amy Kimberlain, “Keeping a healthy environment in your gut is critical to not only optimizing your health but also staving off chronic disease.”
The gut must then be strengthened to keep it healthy so the body stands a better chance to have a strong immune system. This is where Yakult comes in.
In the late 1920s, Dr. Minoru Shirota, upon observing the state of health of the people around him in Japan, resolved to do research that could help quell the malady around him. He worked for long hours at the Kyoto Imperial University School of Medicine (now Kyoto University) to be able to find possible ways to help improve the people’s health. He worked on strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria in his laboratory until finally he succeeded. He managed to develop a health-enhancing strain— Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS). This strain later became the main ingredient of a probiotic drink that was made available in 1935 to Japanese consumers at a very affordable price. It carried the brand name Yakult and the company that manufactured and introduced it to the market was registered as Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. Yakult’s Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS) has a GRAS (Generally Recognize As Safe) Certification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whereas there must be a general recognition by qualified experts that it is safe when consumed in accordance with its intended use in a food or beverage.
Later established in Kyoto, Japan is this company’s state-of-the-art research and development arm which continuously updates and reinforces its R & D initiatives to guarantee the quality of the products being manufactured and to develop new products.
Yakult products are currently widely consumed in 40 countries and regions, including the Philippines. The establishment of Yakult Philippines took place in 1978. In 2025, Yakult Philippines celebrated its 47th year in the Philippines by opening its second factory, which is ideally situated in Mindanao to better meet the requirements of its devoted customers in the south and help more people. It is situated in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, and serves as a supplement to the main Yakult plant in Calamba Laguna. Early in June of this year, it was officially opened. The entire floor space of the Yakult El Salvador Manufacturing Company (YESMC) Plant is 25,583 square meters, with about 18,709 square meters dedicated to construction.
Yakult is regarded as a pioneer in the probiotic industry, offering goods that promote health. “Its efficacy is guaranteed by 8 billion live Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS) in every bottle of Yakult drink,” says YESMC Chairman and Yakult Philippines, Inc. President, Mr. Alberto R. Dy Sun.
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