JAPAN – Yakult Honsha, producer of the Yakult probiotic drink, has said that an increase in royalty payments from strong worldwide sales of the drink boosted its results for 2001.

For the 12 months to 31 March, profit was up 5.5% on 2000 to 22.77 billion yen (196.6 million euro). The company said that income included 37.5 million euro in royalty revenue and 40.8 million euro profit from investment in its foreign affiliates.

For the 12 months to 31 March 2003, the company predicted a pre-tax profit of 23.7 million euro on sales of 2.2 billion euro.

Yakult Honsha was formed in 1955 and its drink is now sold in 23 countries. In April, a Yakult Light version of its product was launched in the UK.

Yakult contains the bacteria Lactobacillus casei Shirota, which the company claims helps to maintain the digestive system.