Gefilus and LGG: why this lactic acid bacteria is so well known

Hyvinvoinnin Tavaratalo
2026-03-25T15:21:47+02:00

If you spend time in Finland, you will quickly notice the name Gefilus. It is one of the best-known product families built around lactic acid bacteria, and its best-known strain is Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, also called LGG.

Valio says LGG is the world’s most studied lactic acid bacteria, with more than 800 scientific studies behind it. The brand also states that LGG is the best-known and most used lactic acid bacteria preparation in Finland.

What Gefilus products contain

Gefilus products are built around LGG, and some products also include nutrients such as vitamins C and D or zinc, depending on the format. Valio’s product pages describe LGG as the core lactic acid bacteria in the Gefilus range, while some products add other ingredients such as fibre or additional bacterial strains depending on the product type.

What makes LGG special

LGG stands out because it has been studied for decades and because researchers have identified features that help explain why it has attracted so much scientific attention. Valio describes LGG as highly resilient: it survives passage through the digestive tract and can attach to the intestinal wall with hair-like structures. Scientific literature also describes these pili, often called SpaCBA pili, as an important part of LGG’s ability to bind to intestinal mucus.

Another reason LGG is so well known is its history. Scientific and patent records trace the strain back to work by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin in the 1980s; the “GG” comes from their surnames. Today the strain is also known by the designation ATCC 53103.

Why researchers keep returning to LGG

LGG is not just famous because it is old. It is famous because it became a model strain for research. Reviews and scientific summaries repeatedly describe it as one of the best-documented strains in its category, and commercial material from Valio and Novonesis likewise presents it as the most studied lactic acid bacteria of its kind. That does not mean every product containing LGG is identical, but it does explain why this exact strain is mentioned so often in scientific and consumer discussions.

A Finnish success story with global roots

Gefilus is strongly linked with Finland. Valio says Gefilus products are made in Finland, and the brand has become a familiar part of Finnish everyday food and supplement culture. At the same time, the LGG story is international: the strain was originally identified by American researchers, later commercialised in Finland, and has since become globally recognised. Novonesis states that LGG has been used globally in foods and supplements since 1990.

Why people often say “lactic acid bacteria” instead of “probiotic”

If you read Finnish or EU packaging carefully, you may notice that companies often say lactic acid bacteria instead of probiotic. That is not accidental. The European Commission’s health claims register lists authorised and non-authorised health claims, and in EU practice the word “probiotic” is generally treated as a health claim rather than a neutral ingredient description. That is why brands in this category often choose more careful wording on pack and in marketing.

Why LGG matters to the Gefilus story

For international readers, the key point is simple: Gefilus is well known because LGG is well known. The strain has a long research history, a clearly identified scientific name, and physical properties that researchers have examined in detail. That combination has helped make Gefilus one of the most recognisable names in Finland’s lactic acid bacteria category.

The bottom line

Gefilus is not just a familiar Finnish brand name. It is built around one of the best-known bacterial strains in the category: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. LGG’s long research history, resilience in digestive conditions, and ability to attach to intestinal mucus are key reasons why it keeps coming up in both science and consumer products. That is why, when people in Finland talk about lactic acid bacteria, Gefilus and LGG are often part of the same conversation.