Probiotic Brands
Not all fermented foods contain live cultures. Here's which brands include live, active cultures based on their labels.
Yogurt
—11 brandsGreek yogurt, skyr, and traditional yogurt. Most contain live cultures, but check labels.
| Brand | Type | Cultures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇Chobani | Greek Yogurt | 6 strains (S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, etc.) | ~$1.99/cup |
| 🥈FAGE | Greek Yogurt | 5 live strains | ~$6.96/32oz |
| 🥉Siggi's | Icelandic Skyr | 5 live strains | ~$7.26/750g |
| Stonyfield | Organic Yogurt | 6 strains including BB-12 | ~$5.49/32oz |
| Nancy's | Organic Yogurt | 5+ live strains | ~$5.29/32oz |
| Activia | Probiotic Yogurt | B. animalis (proprietary Bifidus) | — |
| Oikos Pro ⚠️ | High-Protein Greek | No live cultures (per label, March 2026) | — |
| Liberté🍁 | Greek Yogurt | Live cultures | — |
| Astro Biobest🍁 | Probiotic Yogurt | Live cultures | — |
| Danone Two Good | Greek Yogurt | Live cultures | — |
| Iögo Probiotic🍁 | Probiotic Yogurt | Live cultures | — |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Kefir
—4 brandsTypically contains 10-30+ probiotic strains - more diverse than yogurt.
| Brand | Type | Cultures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇Lifeway | Probiotic Kefir | 12 live strains | ~$5.49/32oz |
| 🥈Olympic/Astro🍁 | Traditional Kefir | Live cultures | ~$5.49/1L |
| 🥉Green Valley | Lactose-free Kefir | Live cultures | ~$5.99/32oz |
| Maple Hill | Whole Milk Kefir | Live cultures | — |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Kombucha
—5 brandsLook for 'raw' or 'unpasteurized' for live cultures.
| Brand | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇GT's Synergy | Raw Kombucha | ~$3.49/16oz |
| 🥈Health-Ade | Kombucha | ~$3.99/16oz |
| 🥉RISE🍁 | Raw Kombucha | ~$4.99 |
| Brew Dr. | Organic Kombucha | ~$3.49/14oz |
| Humm | Kombucha | — |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Sauerkraut
—4 brandsMust be refrigerated and unpasteurized for live cultures.
| Brand | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇Bubbies | Classic Sauerkraut | ~$9.59/25oz |
| 🥈wildbrine | Organic Sauerkraut | ~$10.99/500mL |
| 🥉Farmhouse Culture | Kraut | — |
| Caldwell's🍁 | Fermented Vegetables | — |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Kimchi
—4 brandsRefrigerated kimchi typically contains live cultures.
| Brand | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇Mother-In-Law's | House Kimchi | ~$7.99/16oz |
| 🥈Sunja's | Medium Spicy Kimchi | ~$15.99/453g |
| 🥉Cleveland Kitchen | Classic Kimchi | ~$4.99/16oz |
| Jongga | Napa Cabbage Kimchi | ~$1.79/80g |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Miso
—2 brandsLook for unpasteurized. Don't boil - add after removing from heat.
| Brand | Type |
|---|---|
| 🥇Miso Master | Organic White Miso |
| 🥈Hikari | Organic White Miso |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
Other Fermented
—2 brandsTempeh, dairy-free yogurts, and other fermented options.
| Brand | Type | Cultures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇Cocojune | Coconut Yogurt | Multiple live strains | — |
| 🥈Lightlife | Organic Tempeh | Live cultures | ~$4.99-5.99 |
Sources: Product labels and manufacturer websites, last reviewed March 2026.
How to Check for Live Cultures
Signs of Live Cultures
- Label says "live and active cultures"
- Product is refrigerated (not shelf-stable)
- Label says "raw" or "unpasteurized"
- Specific strain names listed
Warning Signs
- Shelf-stable (not refrigerated)
- "Pasteurized" without added cultures
- No mention of live cultures
- Very long shelf life
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most traditional yogurts contain live cultures, some products are heat-treated after fermentation, which kills beneficial bacteria. High-protein yogurts like Oikos Pro may not contain live cultures. Always check for "live and active cultures" on the label.
Refrigerated fermented foods are typically unpasteurized and contain live cultures. Shelf-stable versions have been pasteurized (heat-treated) to kill bacteria for longer storage - this also kills the beneficial probiotics.
Kefir typically leads with 10-30+ strains, compared to yogurt's 2-6 strains. Traditionally fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi also contain diverse strains from wild fermentation.
Canadian brands like Liberté, Astro, Iögo, and RISE Kombucha are widely available across Canada at regular grocery stores. Some US brands have limited Canadian distribution or aren't available at all.
Build Your Probiotic Routine
The 30/30/3 protocol recommends 3 servings of fermented foods daily. Mix and match from these brands to support gut health diversity.