Factory Tours

California Factory

We are now offering tours of our factory in Fountain Valley, California. Take a trip through our state-of-the-art facility, see how Yakult is made, and learn more about probiotics! Reservations are required.

Please fill out a Tour Application, and send it to us via email Factorytour@yakultusa.com or fax (714) 434-7300. You can also give us a call at (714) 434-6500 (option 4). For more information please refer to our Tour Brochure. We look forward to seeing you!

PDF: Tour Brochure

PDF: Tour Application

Made in America

Thanks to the amazing growth of Yakult around the United States, we are happy to open our first U.S. factory. The new facility is located in Southern California and will produce 400,000 bottles a day, every one of them packed with billions of Yakult’s exclusive probiotic strain, L. casei Shirota.

VIDEO (1:55):
See how
Yakult is made.

VIDEO (0:30):
Watch our
latest commercial.

Products

Yakult is a probiotic drink, that when consumed daily may help balance your digestive system and maintain overall health.

Yakult Light provides the same benefits as regular Yakult, but is a lower sugar option.

Yakult Regular

Contains 50 calories per bottle and 11 grams of sugar.
No fat. No cholesterol. No preservatives. No gluten. No high fructose corn syrup. No aspartame.
Regular Yakult is sweetened with Sucrose.

Click on image to see Nutrition Facts

Yakult Light

Contains 30 calories per bottle and 4 grams of sugar.
No fat. No cholesterol. No preservatives. No gluten. No high fructose corn syrup. No aspartame.
Yakult Light is sweetened with Reb A, which is extracted from the Stevia leaf.

Find a Store

Click here to find Yakult near you using our Store Locator.

Philosophy

For a long time, people have believed that a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life. That was also the belief of our company's founder, Dr. Minoru Shirota, who aimed to create a product to maintain overall health and wellness. Today, he is accredited with creating the world's first probiotic shot drink, Yakult! With billions of live, active bacteria and the exclusive probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Yakult works by reducing the chances of bad bacteria taking over. Probiotics are not alike, as they vary by genus, species and strain. Scientific studies have proven that strains of Lactobacillus casei, which Yakult contains, have a positive effect on the digestive system.

But that wasn't all. Dr. Shirota's approach to health was revolutionary, too. It is known as preventive medicine - Exercising, eating healthy and consuming probiotics daily are ways to help maintain good health. Consuming Yakult daily is a great way to incorporate probiotics into your health routine!

Dr. Shirota envisioned that everybody in the world would be able to enjoy the benefits of Yakult! That is why our company strives to offer Yakult at a price anyone can afford.

Company

Yakult is the world's leading probiotic beverage created in Japan in 1935. It is produced by Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd - the world's pioneer in probiotics. Today, Yakult is sold in more than 30 countries and regions around the world. Our company's portfolio includes a range of consumer, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. For additional company information, please visit yakult.co.jp/english.

Science and research are the basis of our business. We have institutes in both Japan and Europe that are committed to discovering the endless applications for probiotics as well as the use of intestinal bacteria in human health globally. For more information about our science institutes, please visit yakult.co.jp/institute.

Bringing Yakult to America is just one more step towards fulfilling Yakult's mission: to contribute to the health and happiness of every person around the world through the pursuit of excellence in life sciences and the study of microorganisms. We hope to achieve this goal while providing education to people about healthier living, developing community programs where we do business, and collaborating with medical doctors, dietitians and researchers.

Yakult U.S.A. Inc. is a subsidiary of Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. and is headquartered in Fountain Valley, CA. It supports Yakult's business in the United States and Canada. To contact our offices please email yakult@yakultusa.com.

Yakult's mission is to contribute to the health and happiness of every person around the world through the pursuit of excellence in life sciences and the study of microorganisms. We continue to spread the message of preventive medicine and the benefits of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus casei Shirota. One by one, city by city, country by country, we deliver this message in the shape of a small bottle - a bottle that contains around 8 billion live and active good bacteria.

Consuming one or two bottles a day of this exclusive probiotic drink may help improve digestive balance and overall wellness. Yakult and Yakult Light have no fat, no cholesterol, no preservatives, no gluten, no high fructose corn syrup and no aspartame. Yakult contains 50 calories and 11 grams of sugar per bottle, while Yakult Light contains 30 calories and 4 grams of sugar per bottle. For more nutritional information, visit Yakult Nutrition. Yakult Light is now available in select stores where regular Yakult is sold and is coming soon to more store locations in the future.

Yakult pushes forward with the quest for new possibilities for probiotics in the academic and medical fields. We work with doctors, scientists and dietitians worldwide to help people with medical conditions and find ways our probiotics can be used to help people suffering. Yakult's research has led to many significant medical advances, even beyond the probiotics field, such as the development of the Campto Injection, the first-line drug for colon cancer in the United States.

The human digestive system has over 500 types of bacteria, most of which are good and keep you healthy. A healthy person has more good than bad bacteria, but any change in the body’s bacteria balance can cause digestive issues. With probiotics, the good bacteria help reduce the possibility of bad bacteria taking over. By doing so, probiotics may help balance the digestive system and improve overall wellness.

The Yakult Company started the probiotics revolution by introducing Yakult in Japan in 1935. Today, Yakult is the world's leading probiotic beverage. Why? Our product speaks for itself. Once you experience the delicious taste and health benefits of Yakult, you'll have no doubt why it is loved by millions of people around the globe!

In the 1930's while studying microbiology at the Medical School of Kyoto University, Dr. Minoru Shirota adopted the philosophy that intestinal health leads to a long life and set out to find certain lactic acid bacteria that could help fight harmful bacteria in the body. At this point in history, health care was expensive and many people lost their lives to infectious diseases caused by poor nutrition.

During his research, Dr. Shirota cultured a bacterial strain that was strong enough to survive harsh acids of the stomach and reach the intestines alive where they could have a beneficial effect on the body. The probiotic strain was named Lactobacillus casei Shirota in his honor!

Thinking of a way that people would be motivated to ingest probiotics every day and be spared from suffering and disease, Dr. Shirota had the brilliant idea to pair the "friendly bacteria" with a delicious flavorful mixture that everyone would want to drink every day.

In 1935, he manufactured this drink for the Japanese market as "Yakult," which was derived from the word "yogurt" in Esperanto, the proposed universal language of the 1880s.

Fortunately, Dr. Shirota had a good sense for a product that many would enjoy. In fact, Yakult was such a great success that in 1955 The Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., Yakult's national headquarters, was formed with Dr. Shirota as its founder.

Today, Dr. Shirota's philosophy, known as Shirota-ism is the core and driving force behind all of our company's activities and Yakult has become the universal probiotic drink loved by people around the world!

Why drink Yakult?

You may not think about your digestive system when you think about your overall well-being, but that's where good health and proper nutrition begins. Drinking Yakult daily may help balance your digestive system. For 75 years, people around the world have been making Yakult a part of their daily diet - now you can, too!

On top of all the benefits Yakult tastes great! Over 30 million children and adults around the world enjoy the delicious citrus taste of Yakult every day.

How does Yakult work?

Yakult is probiotic; it contains billions of live and active "good bacteria." Your digestive system naturally contains trillions of all kinds of bacteria -- some are helpful, some are harmful. When you drink Yakult daily, it makes it difficult for the bad bacteria to take over. Yakult also gives you more of the good bacteria that may help balance your digestive system.

What are probiotics?

According to The Joint FAO/World Health Organization, probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." They are the "friendly" bacteria that can help correct imbalances in our digestive system. In fact, our digestive system is home to TRILLIONS of bacteria, including probiotics.

How many bottles of Yakult per day are recommended?

Regular consumption of Yakult is important. We recommend drinking one or two bottles daily as part of your regular diet.

Who can drink Yakult?

From young to old, everybody can enjoy Yakult's refreshing and delicious citrus taste! For adults, drinking one or two bottles every day, either with or after meals, is recommended. For children, one bottle a day is recommended. For infants over the age of 8 months and toddlers, one bottle a day is recommended. We suggest introducing Yakult into their diet slowly by first giving small amounts and gradually increasing to a full bottle.

What are the benefits of drinking Yakult regularly?

Because everyone's biological make-up is unique, each one of us may experience our own unique health benefits. Generally speaking, Yakult may help balance your digestive system.

Does Yakult have any side effects?

No. Yakult is a food product and does not have any harmful side effects. For those trying Yakult for the first time, you may experience increased bloating (usually within the first week) while the body establishes a better balance.

Are probiotics safe?

Yes. Probiotics stem from the concept of yogurt - certain "friendly" bacteria that prove to have a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. People have been consuming yogurt for thousands of years. Yakult also has a strong record of safety that spans more than 75 years. In fact, our company is recognized as the pioneer of the probiotics after introducing the world's first consumer packaged probiotic shot, Yakult, in 1935.

Is Yakult a yogurt drink?

No. Yakult is a fermented dairy drink that contains probiotic cultures rather than yogurt cultures. The main difference between yogurt and probiotic cultures is that probiotics must have scientifically proven health benefits while yogurts do not. Another point of distinction is the type of cultures; probiotics are typically various species and strains of lactobacilli or bifidobacteria, while yogurt starter cultures are specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, according to the National Yogurt Association.

Can I drink it if I am lactose intolerant?

Yakult is a fermented dairy product containing small amounts of naturally-occurring milk sugar (lactose). Lactose intolerant individuals who may safely consume yogurt, may also enjoy Yakult. Those who have more severe lactose intolerance may be unable to drink Yakult. If you are uncertain about your reaction to dairy, we recommend you discuss with your physician before trying.

I have to watch my sugar intake. Is Yakult ok?

Each 2.7-ounce bottle of regular Yakult contains 11 grams of sugar, which is approximately one serving of sugar, or one piece of fruit or a single slice of bread. Yakult Light, on the other hand, contains only four grams of sugar. If you have diabetes, be sure to consult your physician on how to best incorporate Yakult into your daily diet.

What do I do if I cannot find Yakult in my local grocery store?

Yakult is usually located in the dairy aisle of grocery stores, typically in or near the yogurt section. If you still can not find our product at your local store, please contact us at yakult@yakultusa.com and we will search for the nearest market to you that carries Yakult.

Can I drink Yakult after the expiration date?

The "best if used by" date indicates that after the specified date, the number of bacteria found in Yakult will likely decrease. To enjoy Yakult at its premium, we strongly recommend keeping the product chilled and to discard after the expiration date.

Where is Yakult?

Yakult U.S.A. Inc.'s headquarters are based in Fountain Valley, CA. Yakult U.S.A. Inc.'s parent company, Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd. is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

What is the difference between regular Yakult and Yakult Light?

Yakult is available in two types – regular Yakult (look for red lids) and Yakult Light (look for blue lids). Yakult Light contains 1/3 fewer calories and less sugar than regular Yakult. Yakult Light contains 30 calories whereas our regular Yakult product contains 50.

But they both pack the same probiotic power to help balance your digestive process.

Does Yakult Light taste different?

Yakult Light offers the same great citrus taste as regular Yakult! The difference is that it’s sweetened with
Reb A, a sweetener extracted from the stevia leaf, along with a small amount of sugar.

Contact

Yakult U.S.A. Inc.

17235 Newhope St.

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Phone: 714-434-6500

Office Hours: 9am – 6pm PST