An industrial visit to Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., Sonipat, was organized for the final-year B. Pharm. students of LIMT on 18th March 2025. The visit aimed to provide students with practical exposure to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production processes, particularly the manufacturing of probiotic drinks.

About Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd.

Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture between Yakult Honsha, Japan, and Groupe Danone, France. The company specializes in probiotic drinks, particularly Yakult, which contains Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, known for its health benefits, especially in improving digestion and immunity. The Sonipat facility is ISO 9001:2015 and HACCP certified, ensuring high standards of quality and safety.

Objectives of the Visit

• To understand fermentation technology used in probiotic manufacturing.
• To observe Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Quality Control (QC) measures.
• To gain insights into packaging, storage, and distribution processes.
• To interact with industry experts and understand career opportunities in the  

nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Industrial Visit Highlights

A company representative welcomed the students, faculty members, and a brief presentation on Yakult’s history, probiotic benefits, and global presence was given.

Students were taken through various sections of the manufacturing facility, including:

• Raw Material Handling: Ensuring the quality of raw materials like skimmed milk and glucose.
• Fermentation Unit: The role of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in probiotic production.
• Blending and Mixing: The process of preparing the final probiotic drink.
• Bottling and Packaging: Automated bottle filling, sealing, and labeling processes.
• Quality Control Laboratory: Tests for microbial contamination, pH balance, and shelf-life stability.
• Cold Storage and Distribution: Proper temperature control for maintaining product integrity.

Students engaged with experts on career prospects in the probiotic industry and its importance of clinical trials and pharmacological studies in product validation.

Key Learnings

• Understanding the significance of probiotics in human health.
• Exposure to advanced pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing techniques.
• Awareness of regulatory compliance (FSSAI, WHO-GMP, HACCP, and ISO standards).
• Career insights into pharmaceutical microbiology, quality assurance, and R&D.

Conclusion

The visit to Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. was an enriching experience, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industrial application. It provided valuable insights into biopharmaceutical production, quality control, and safety regulations. Students gained a deeper understanding of fermentation-based healthcare products, which will aid them in their future careers in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Acknowledgment

We extend our gratitude to Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. for hosting the visit and providing an informative session. Special thanks to LIMT faculty members and coordinators for organizing this industrial exposure.