Yakult Singapore 4.89

Yakult began with the ideals of Dr. Minoru Shirota more than 80 years ago. In the early days of his medical career, Dr. Shirota was deeply concerned about how Japan’s poor socio-economic conditions caused children to suffer from malnutrition that led to infectious diseases and other illnesses. He therefore decided to focus his efforts on preventive medicine and turned to the study of microorganisms.

In his research, he discovered that lactobacilli were beneficial in suppressing harmful bacteria in the human intestines and promoted good intestinal health. In 1930, Dr. Shirota became the first in the world to succeed in biotechnologically strengthening and culturing a bacterial strain that could withstand the gastric juice and bile to reach the intestines alive. This unique probiotic strain was later named Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in his honour.

As Dr. Shirota was determined to promote good health to people through the benefits of probiotics, he incorporated his discovery, L. casei strain Shirota into a cultured milk drink and called it “Yakult”.

Yakult was then marketed in 1935 in Japan through a number of independent operators. In 1955, Dr. Shirota founded Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. which is today's hub of Yakult’s worldwide operations. Presently, people in 33 countries and regions drink Yakult everyday.

From the perspective of preventive medicine, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. has broadened its range of products from food and beverages to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals using probiotics. Yakult is not only a pioneer of probiotics but has since become the world’s leader in this field. For more information on our parent company, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. please visit www.yakult.co.jp/english/

Dr. Shirota strongly believed in preventive medicine and advocated three core ideals: (i) preventing illnesses rather than treating them, (ii) a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long, healthy life and (iii) delivering good health at an affordable price. These ideals are known as “Shirota-ism” which are kept alive today as the guiding principles behind Yakult’s business.

Yakult was first introduced to Singaporeans in 1979 with the incorporation of Yakult Singapore in 1978. Although Yakult Singapore started humbly in three containers at Hillview Avenue, it operates today from a multi-million dollar ultra-modern plant at Senoko Avenue.

As Yakult is produced locally, our customers can be assured of the highest quality and freshness of Yakult sold in Singapore.

Yakult Singapore perseveres to continue its healthy journey to spread to all Singaporeans alike the awareness on the benefits of its unique probiotics, L. casei strain Shirota along the principles of Shirota-ism.