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IPA is a global non-profit organization that advocates for the safe and efficacious use of Pre-, Pro- and Post- biotics. We bring together the knowledge and resources of scientists, healthcare professionals, academics and regulators to define clear standards that advance the quality of Pre-, Pro- and Post- biotics.
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IPA Collaborations & Partnerships
The International Probiotics Association (IPA) thrives on strong collaborations with organizations and stakeholders worldwide. Our partnerships encompass work with international standards bodies, innovative initiatives, data and research collaborations, and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key organizations spanning the globe.
Through these alliances, IPA contributes to the development of global standards, drives impactful programs, and fosters scientific progress in the probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics industries. These collaborations enhance industry credibility, promote public awareness, and ensure the responsible and sustainable growth of the microbiome sector on a global scale.
GRMA / ISO / CODEX
As a collaborative association, IPA reaches out to all stakeholders in the industry to help advance best practices, methods, guidelines, maintain scientific rigor, and address challenges on regulatory, scientific, quality, and communication.
IPA works to further our mission and strategy of championing the development of pre-, pro- and post- biotic standards; being the recognized probiotic authority for regulatory bodies around the world; increasing awareness and knowledge of pro-, pre-, and post- biotics to all stakeholders; and fostering networking opportunities.
GRMA / ANSI:
The GRMA alliance with IPA produced a probiotic working group which reviewed extensively the IPA manufacturing guidelines. These guidelines are now a normative reference to the ANSI 455-2 standards for manufacturing probiotic bulk ingredients into finished probiotic products. GFSI has benchmarked the IPA guidelines against their global standards also, and they are now included as a reference. (add reference if public)
ISO/TC 34/SC 9 – Microbiology
IPA has been working with ISO in a mutual working committee. (ISO – International Organization for Standardization) for over a year on establishing an ISO-validated method for probiotic enumeration for the dietary supplements segment.
Codex Alimentarius:
In 2017, IPA proposed new work to harmonize probiotic regulations globally through the NFSDU Codex committee. The outcome requested from the chair was for FAO and WHO to update their work from 2001 and 2002. Next steps would be to have a delegate country sponsor the work and be ready for the next NFSDU meeting in 2026.
MOUs
IPA is a collaborative association, reaching out to all stakeholders in the industry to help advance best practices, methods, guidelines, and maintain scientific rigor, and to also address challenges both on regulatory and quality fronts. The past year saw IPA embark on new collaborations and signed MOUs with partnering associations that were aligned with similar goals and beliefs. The collaboration with National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was a natural fit with the scope expansion into the companion animal space. IPA’s proficiency is poised to supply insights into the specific products tailored for this category, particularly in terms of quality and technical considerations. Simultaneously, NASC brings extensive experience in regulatory aspects.
The collaboration with National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was a natural fit with the scope expansion into the companion animal space. IPA’s proficiency is poised to supply insights into the specific products tailored for this category, particularly in terms of quality and technical considerations. Simultaneously, NASC brings extensive experience in regulatory aspects.
The mission of the NASC is twofold: to promote the health and wellbeing of companion animals and horses that are given animal health supplements by their owners, and to protect and enhance the animal health supplement industry. NASC and its member companies work cooperatively with state, federal, and international government officials to create a legislative and regulatory environment that provides a framework that is fair, reasonable, responsible, and nationally consistent. Such an environment of safety, accuracy and quality serves the interests of NASC members by ensuring ethical manufacturing and labelling practices are complied with throughout the industry<
One of IPA’s key objectives for 2024 is geographic expansion, and the partnership with the Chinese Nutrition and Health Food Association (CNHFA) harmoniously aligns with this endeavor. Collaborating with CNHFA in a “boots on the ground” approach enables more effective communication of the biotics category, addressing the local population in their language and fostering better understanding. CNHFA is an independent, national, non-profit social organization, approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, under the leadership of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in China. CNHFA aims to comprehensively promote the development of the health food industry and to ensure product safety in China, benefiting consumers and the whole society.
The Korean Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics (KSLABP) is an independent non-profit that contributes to the benefit of the general society. KSLABP promotes scientific and applied research in health functional foods and biotechnology, focusing on lactic acid bacteria and probiotics.
KSLABP contributes to developing academic and industrial technology by disseminating related theories and technologies within this field. A partnership with the KSLABP will provide IPA coverage and visibility within the South Korea territory.
The IPA and HPA-Global maintain a strong and collaborative partnership focused on advancing industry knowledge and market access in China. As part of this relationship, HPA-Global provides IPA and its members with the monthly Probiotics China News Bites newsletter, as well as shares the weekly China Updates, delivering timely market intelligence across China’s dietary supplement and natural health product sectors to IPA’s management team. IPA also benefits from a complimentary speaking/sponsorship position at HPA-Global’s annual Probiotics China Conference in Shanghai, supporting thought leadership and industry engagement. In addition, the executive leadership of both organizations including HPA-Global’s Executive Director, Jeff Crowther, and IPA’s Executive Director, George Paraskevakos maintain regular communication to exchange insights, align on industry developments, and strengthen ongoing collaboration.
Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN)
WIN is a non-profit organization focused on unlocking the professional and personal potential of women. The organization is igniting a movement to build support for women across the nutraceutical supply chain to help increase the percentage of women holding leadership roles, funding for female-led businesses, and women’s participation in research. IPA recognizes the roles and influence that women have within the probiotic, prebiotic and postbiotic industries.
IPA’s “Women of Wisdom” Podcast series:
This collaboration features astute podcast interviews with women in leadership roles within IPA and IPA member companies. Leaders share advice and insights about advancing their careers, highlight opportunities and influences that probed them within their careers, and offer suggestions, including gender-balanced research in the probiotic, prebiotics and postbiotics space.
IPA Data Partners
As we have recently expanded our scope, we’ve forged partnerships with leading data companies to provide IPA members with access to the latest data
in the realms of a l biotics, companion animals, and infant supplements.
IPA Event Partners
Informa, a global leader in business intelligence, events, and academic publishing, is proud to partner with the International Probiotics Association (IPA). This collaboration brings together Informa’s expertise in organizing world-class events and IPA’s commitment to advancing probiotics research and education. Together, we aim to foster innovation, share knowledge and drive growth in the probiotics industry, creating impactful opportunities for professionals and stakeholders worldwide.
