A Journey through over 100 years of Danone’s years of science and innovation
Science and innovation in gut health and probiotics have been central to Danone since the company’s formation in 1919, with its belief in the power of nutrition to make a positive, proven difference to health. The company’s 100+-year heritage in biotic science began when Danone’s founder, the Greek entrepreneur Isacc Carasso, was inspired to innovate during a visit to Spain where he witnessed children with malnutrition and intestinal issues. Fast forward to today and research and innovation are still playing a fundamental role in product development.
1899
Henri Tessier shows that higher amounts of Bifidobacterium in babies’ gut microbiota correlate with fewer digestive disorders
1908
Health benefits of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus found in fermented yogurt was discovered
1919
Isaac Carasso – Danone’s founder – creates the first Danone yogurt in Barcelona
1983
Danone Research Centre Daniel Carasso is founded near Paris, dedicated to dairy products
1987
Activia is born - our delicious yogurt containing an exclusive mix of 5 live cultures
1985
Danone scientists identify and select the five strains contained in Activia®, including the Bifidus strain Bifidobacterium...
1994
Patented mix of live strains launched in a yogurt drink. In the same year, the Danone logo was launched
1998
Activia arrives in the UK
2006
Danone’s company mission launched: “Bring health through food to as many people as possible”
2002
Danone's International Research & Development centre opens in Paris
2023
Danone launches a plant-based alternative to yogurt range containing a trio of strains
2023
Danone opens a new global Research & Innovation Centre in Paris-Saclay, France
2025+
Research and innovation continues
2024
Activia kefir launched
References
[1] Anukam, Kingsley & Reid, Gregor. (2007). Probiotics: 100 years (1907-2007) after Elie Metchnikoff's Observation. Communicating Current Research and Educational Topics and Trends in Applied Microbiology.
This information is intended to provide health professionals with scientific and educational content on gut health and nutrition.
