Not every probiotic needs refrigeration. Physician's Choice 60 Billion Probiotic needs no refrigeration: store it in a cool, dry place, and the 60 billion CFU on its label is the count at expiration.
Here are the myths we hear most, and the facts.
Myth vs. fact
Myth: Refrigerated probiotics are better.
Fact: Cold is not a mark of quality. Some probiotics are made to be refrigerated and some are not. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says: "Some probiotics need to be kept in the refrigerator, but others can be stored at room temperature." Store a probiotic the way its label says.
Myth: If a probiotic is not refrigerated, its live cultures are gone.
Fact: Shelf-stable probiotics are made for room temperature. 60 Billion Probiotic is designed to be stable at room temperature, and its bottle, which keeps out moisture and light, is the reason it needs no refrigeration.
Myth: The CFU number on any label is what you get.
Fact: It depends on when the count is taken: at manufacture, or through the expiration date. The NIH notes that the count can decline over time, and that some experts recommend products that list CFU by the expiration date. 60 Billion Probiotic counts its 60 billion CFU at expiration.
Why 60 Billion Probiotic does not need the fridge
- "No refrigeration necessary" is printed on the box.
- CSP™ bottle technology protects probiotic potency and shelf life by keeping out moisture and light.
- Activ-Polymer™ technology absorbs moisture.
- The 60 billion CFU on the label is the count at expiration. We add extra at the factory, so you still get 60 billion the day before it expires, not just the day it is made.
What to look for in a probiotic that doesn't need refrigeration
- A clear storage line. 60 Billion Probiotic: "No refrigeration necessary." Store cool and dry.
- A bottle that keeps out moisture and light. 60 Billion Probiotic: CSP™ bottle technology.
- CFU counted at expiration, not just at manufacture. 60 Billion Probiotic: 60 billion CFU at expiration.
- Strains named by strain code. 60 Billion Probiotic: 10 strains, each named by strain code in our strain dossier.
When the fridge does matter
- If a probiotic's label says to refrigerate it, keep it in the refrigerator.
- Keep the capsules in their bottle with the cap closed. The bottle is what keeps out moisture and light.
Questions we hear
Does 60 Billion Probiotic need to be refrigerated?
No. 60 Billion Probiotic does not need refrigeration. Store it in a cool, dry place. The bottle keeps out moisture and light, and the 60 billion CFU on the label is the count at expiration, not just the day it is made.
Are refrigerated probiotics better?
Not because they are cold. Some probiotics are made to be refrigerated and some are not. Follow the label on yours, and check whether its CFU is counted at expiration.
What is the difference between CFU at time of manufacture and at expiration?
CFU at manufacture is the count on the day the product was made. CFU at expiration is the number the product will contain by its expiration date. Counts can decline over time, so the one at expiration tells you more about what you take.
Can I travel with 60 Billion Probiotic?
Yes. It needs no refrigeration, so you do not need a cooler. Keep the capsules in their bottle with the cap closed, away from hot places like a parked car.
See 60 Billion Probiotic | Read the strain dossier
Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Consumers; our 60 Billion Probiotic label, box and strain dossier.