International Probiotics Association to relocate to US; reigning chief resigns

31-Oct-2014 - Last updated on 31-Oct-2014 at 13:22 GMT

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) is relocating to an unconfirmed US location from Europe in November. The group will replace executive director, Ioannis Misopoulos, who will remain in Switzerland.

“It was decided that IPA will be moving to the US in November and due to personal reasons I have decided to stay in Europe and not follow after being at the helm of the organization the last 7 ½ years,” Misopoulos said in an email to the IPA membership.

“It was a very difficult decision for me but I chose to stay in Switzerland.”

End of the road: Ioannis Misopoulos won't be following IPA to the US but said he wants to remain in the probiotic sector

Misopoulos thanked the association and its members with whom he had, "truly enjoyed working ... and representing the probiotic industry in government organisations along with helping to set standards.”

The group has not yet said anything about the motivation for the HQ shift.

Misopoulos said he intended to remain in the probiotic sector.

IPA counts more than 50 probiotic suppliers and manufacturers as members including Lallemand, Chr Hansen, Jarrow Formulas, Morinaga, DuPont-Danisco and Yakult.