“The Global Voice of Probiotics” is about to get louder.

The International Probiotics Association’s (IPA) Board of Directors recently voted to expand the nonprofit’s scope to include the “biotics” categories of prebiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics within the human, infant, and companion animal segments of food and dietary supplements.

Complementing its focus on probiotics, the expansion is part of the group’s strategy to help the “biotics” industry grow in response to market demands and strengthen its ownership within the categories.

IPA said the move won’t affect its focus on the probiotics category.

“We are better together” said Amy Smith, who was recently appointed IPA president following the departure of Kevin Mehring.

IPA said it will work on building the required frameworks and organizational structure to ensure a successful future for the probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics and synbiotics industry.

“It is a natural progression for the evolution of IPA, and we are delighted to announce this expansion in strategic focus,” said George Paraskevakos, executive director, IPA. “We will continue our solid path of driving and advancing the probiotic category as we replicate our past achievements in these additional ‘biotic’ categories.”