New Delhi : Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Yakult Honsha in Japan and Groupe Danone in France, has announced the appointment of Bollywood star Taapsee Pannu as its new brand ambassador. The move reinforces Yakult’s commitment to promoting gut health across India while pursuing an ambitious goal of sustaining double-digit annual growth through 2030.
Since its entry into India in 2008, Yakult has expanded its presence to nearly 700 cities, pioneering the probiotic dairy drink category and creating awareness around gut health. With a rising shift towards healthier food and beverage choices, the demand for probiotics and functional foods is accelerating, making India a key market for Yakult’s growth strategy.
Speaking on her association with the brand, Taapsee Pannu said, “I’m really happy to be part of Yakult’s journey in promoting good gut health. My family has been enjoying Yakult for years, especially my mom, and I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent habits can make a big difference. I truly believe that good health starts in the gut, and Yakult is such an easy, tasty way to include that in our daily routine. I’m excited to help spread this message and encourage more people across India to embrace a healthier lifestyle.”
Reiterating Yakult’s business vision, Eiji Amano, Managing Director, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., stated, “India has shown remarkable growth potential for Yakult over the last 17 years. From a nascent category in 2008 to a rapidly expanding market today, Yakult has continuously won consumer trust. Our next milestone of achieving double-digit growth every year until 2030 reflects the growing demand for probiotics and the confidence we have in the Indian market. Yakult stands committed to reaching more families with our scientifically backed probiotic drink.”
Highlighting the science behind Yakult, Dr. Neerja Hajela, CSO – Science and Regulatory Affairs, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Yakult is a daily catalyst that improves the effectiveness of our diet by enhancing the absorption of nutrients in the gut. This is because only Yakult contains the unique Shirota strain, clinically proven to increase the good bacteria in the gut, thereby boosting absorption and digestion. Yakult ensures effective delivery and consistent health benefits.”
Sharing the company’s vision for consumer outreach, Taku Otsuka, Director – Sales, PR & Marketing, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Our mission goes beyond just selling products. We want to spark a conversation about gut health and make it part of everyday life for people across the country. Through innovative marketing, on-ground activities, and meaningful engagement with our consumers, Yakult aims to make probiotics a simple, daily habit for every Indian household. After all, good health starts from within, and we want everyone to feel that difference every day.”
India’s probiotic drink market, valued at INR 1,348.8 million in 2024, is projected to reach nearly INR 5,778.9 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 16.67% between 2025 and 2033, according to IMARC Group.
A unique pillar of Yakult’s India journey has been the “Yakult Ladies” home delivery network. Specially trained women deliver Yakult directly to households, ensuring freshness and credibility while educating families about gut health. This initiative has also become a symbol of women empowerment, providing financial independence and confidence to hundreds of women across Indian cities.
Yakult contains over 6.5 billion beneficial Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota probiotics per serving, supporting digestive health and immunity. Originating in Japan, the brand is now sold in 40 countries worldwide.
