What "20 Billion CFU at Manufacture" Means on a Probiotic Label
CFU, "at manufacture," blend weight and storage: a plain-English guide to reading the Supplement Facts panel on any probiotic, using ours as the example.
In short
CFU is the number of live microorganisms in a serving. "At manufacture" means the count was measured when the product was made. Live cultures naturally decline over time, so storage and the date on the bottle matter.
What CFU means
CFU stands for colony-forming units: an estimate of how many live bacteria or yeasts in a serving can multiply. You will see it written as "20 billion CFU" or "2 x 1010 CFU."
"At manufacture" vs. "at expiration"
Probiotics are alive, so their count drops slowly from the day they are made. Labels handle that in one of two ways:
- At manufacture: the count when the product was made. Our 20 Billion Probiotic is labeled this way: 20 billion CFU at time of manufacture.
- At expiration: the minimum count promised up to the date on the bottle.
Neither is wrong. They are just different promises, so check which one a label uses when you compare products.
Reading our label, line by line
| Serving size | 1 capsule |
|---|---|
| Probiotic blend | 317 mg (multi-strain) |
| Count | 20 billion CFU at time of manufacture |
| Other ingredients | Cellulose (vegetable capsule), brown rice flour |
| Servings per bottle | 30 |
The milligram figure is the weight of the culture blend. The CFU figure is the live count. US labels can show both, because weight alone does not tell you how many live cultures you get.
Four things to look for on any probiotic
- The strains: each written as genus, species and often a strain code, for example Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85.
- The CFU and when it applies: at manufacture or at expiration.
- Storage directions: ours says to store in a cool, dry place. Heat and humidity are what shorten a probiotic's life.
- The serving: one capsule, two, or a scoop. Compare per serving, not per bottle.
How to take it
One capsule a day with 6 to 8 oz of water. Pick a time you will remember, because consistency matters more than the exact hour.
A lower-dose option
Our ACV + Probiotic Formula has 1 billion CFU of L. acidophilus LA85 per two capsules, alongside apple cider vinegar powder, inulin and a digestive enzyme blend. It is a different product with a different job, so check both labels before taking them together.
Shop this guide
- 20 Billion Probiotic: 20 billion CFU at manufacture, one capsule a day
- ACV + Probiotic Formula: apple cider vinegar, inulin, enzymes and a probiotic
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking medication or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement.
