L. Reuteri DSM 17648 has a long history of safe use within the food chain. Lactobacillus reuteri is included in the European Food Safety Associations (EFSA) list of microorganisms for Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS). QPS status implies that the specific strain has not been associated with safety issues. It can therefore be safely consumed by adults and children from 4 years and above.

L. Reuteri DSM 17648 does not contain any harmful substances or ingredients which bear potential risks (according EU regulation 1169/2011). L. Reuteri DSM 17648 is free from allergens:

cereals with gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut or hybridized strain) and products thereof, shellfish and, eggs and products thereof, fish and products thereof, peanuts and products thereof, soya and products thereof, milk and products thereof (including lactose), nuts (almond, walnut, cashew nut, pecan nut, brazil nut, pistachio, macademia nut queensland nut) and products thereof, celery and products thereof, lupins and products thereof, molluscs and products thereof, mustard and products thereof, sesame seeds and products thereof, sulphur dioxide and sulphites > 10 ppm), genetically modified organisms (GMOs), nanomaterials, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides and doping substances and is BSE/TSE-free. 

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17648 does not originate from, nor employ substrates of, animal origin during any part of its manufacture. Statements concerning these substances are available on request.

L. Reuteri DSM 17648 exhibits glycoproteins on its surface which recognise and bind to glycoproteins exhibited from specific bacteria that reside in the stomach. These structures are unique to this strain of L. reuteri.

Other strains of L. reuteri and probiotics are usually intended to reach the gut where they can multiply and colonise in order to promote healthy gut bacteria. However, L. Reuteri DSM 17648 is an inactivated (i.e. dead) strain of L. reuteri which is not intended to colonise in the gut. Instead, it is intended to bind to specific gut bacteria, after which, L. Reuteri DSM 17648 and the gut bacteria bound to it will travel through the digestive tract where they will be eliminated through natural bowel movements.

Once the bacterium is bound to by L. Reuteri DSM 17648, it simply travels through the gastrointestinal tract and passes out via natural bowel movement.

L. Reuteri DSM 17648 contains a patented strain of Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17648) which, in studies, has shown to specifically binds and co-aggregate to specific bacteria that resides in the stomach. Thanks to this unique mode of action this has allowed L. Reuteri DSM 17648 to give the body a natural way of fighting the bacteria, supporting a healthy stomach environment and good gastric function.