Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Regularis, Bifidus Digestivum, Bifidobacterium Lactis and its variants are marketing names generated by Danone (known in the United States of America as Dannon) for one of the specific bacteria it uses in its “Activia” range of yoghurt products.
According to a reply received from Dannon by the Writerious blog, Bifidus Regularis (and therefore presumably all the variations of Bifidus…) is a proprietary strain of Bifidobacterium.
The source of “Bifidus” is from the intestinal bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis, a kind of bacteria found in the large intestines of most mammals, including humans. “Actiregularis” is an invented word, the first half of which which emphasises the active nature of the bacteria. In common with with Bifidus Regularis, the “regularis” part emphasises being “regular” and the “is” at the end suggests a scientific derivation. The bacteria is known as Bifidus Actiregularis in UK marketing materials and Bifidus Regularis in marketing materials from the USA.
Bifidus Actiregularis used to be called Bifidus Digestivum in UK marketing materials. “Digestivum” is an invented word which uses “digestive” as a root to suggest beneficial effects on digestion, combined with the latinate ending “um” to suggest a scientific derivation.
It is known as Bifidobacterium Lactis in Canadian marketing materials, where Lactis uses the Latin root for milk (“lac” / “lact-”) and “is” to suggest a scientific derivation.
It is known as “Digestivum Essensis” in German and Austrian marketing materials. These are both invented words, the first emphasising digestion and the second emphasising the “essential” nature of the nutrition, using latinate endings to suggest a scientific derivation.
The name of the bacteria changes from country to country and over time, to reflect differences in marketing strategy and consumer behaviour. One suggestion for the change in the UK from Bifidus Digestivum from Bifidus Actiregularis is that Bifidus Digestivum was so ridiculed it become a liability – do a Google search for Bifidus Digestivum to see the results.
The scientifically correct name for the bacteria is “Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010″.
The BBC has recorded an excellent radio programme about gut bacteria, including a discussion of the fundamental uncertainty about the very specific advertised claims for probiotics.
Read more about probiotics, prebiotics, and intestinal flora, Danone’s marketing strategy and what’s in Activia, Danactive and Actimel using the More information menu on the right.
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Comments
Nice
Posted by A on 19th May 2012
Hola! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good job!
Posted by SoliSataddy on 17th May 2012
Basically he/she is saying that the bacteria in Activia is called ‘Bifidobacterium animalis’ and all the other names are made up names used for marketing purposes.
Posted by Ree on 11th May 2012
I have just begun using Activia one per day.I really hope it works as I have always had problems with regularity.
Posted by Babs on 5th May 2012
I have always had difficulty with regularity since being an adult. i found immediate and sustaining results from one small carton of Activia per day. I am very satisfied. I will look for capsule forms for when I travel.
Posted by Suzy on 21st April 2012
I like activia, it works
Posted by michael on 17th April 2012
It works!!!!! and tastes goo too:)
Posted by Enter your name here on 27th March 2012
Agreeing with the last comment. You didn’t answer the question we’re still asking. What is Bifedus Regularis??
Posted by Matthew on 24th March 2012
This was completely pointless, The only thing you did was tell me that it was a bacteria found in your intestines then talked about the stupid oregin of its name in differt counties the rest of the time. You wasted both your and my time with this crap. I just wanted you to know this
Posted by Enter your name here on 16th March 2012
I am on day three. I will keep writing on this site, and let everyone know if there is actually a difference after two weeks. I am eating 3 of the 70 calorie Activia yogurts daily.
Posted by Peggy on 7th March 2012
I have been eating this for the last few days and too am more bloated than I have ever been. Agreed, they are awful!
Posted by Enter your name here on 15th February 2012
Ha! a total load of bollo**s, made up names, based upon ‘health’ perception. Still I’m sure Danone would argue otherwise. The body already contains sufficient equipment to manage it’s gut requirements. That is unless one is actually ill!
Posted by Unbeliever on 6th February 2012
yo mama so fat, when she no longer eats actvia, she explodes
Posted by yo mama on 26th January 2012
I’ve been eating Activia for the last 4 days.It tastes great and seems to be working.
Posted by Bill on 19th January 2012
I have eaten yoghurts with this for three days and I am more bloated than I have ever been. They are awful.
Posted by Sarah on 18th January 2012
This is good to know.
Posted by Enter your name here on 13th January 2012
yes but wot does it do
Posted by james on 8th December 2011
thanks for good information
Posted by said kh.ahmed on 1st December 2011
Whatever it is, it works.
Posted by midsouth72 on 22nd November 2011
My comment is: how come Dannon doesn’t use the term bifidus regularus any longer ? Seems that the term was a marketing ploy from the Dannon company.
I knew this all along.
Posted by H. Spoto on 22nd October 2011