Do Probiotics Need to Be Refrigerated? The Truth About Storage and Shipping

Probiotics are gaining widespread use in clinical settings and everyday wellness routines. But if you’ve ever browsed the supplement aisle or shopped online, you may have noticed something curious: many high-quality probiotics are kept refrigerated. So, do probiotics really need to be cold?

Yes. Refrigeration is essential—not just in stores, but throughout the entire shipping process—to ensure that probiotics remain effective.

Probiotics are live bacteria. These living microorganisms are what give probiotics their health benefits. However, they’re sensitive to heat and moisture, and many strains won’t survive prolonged exposure to warm temperatures. That’s why top-quality probiotics are refrigerated—and why many retailers have dedicated fridges just for these products.

What About “Shelf-Stable” Probiotics?

You may have seen some probiotic products kept on regular store shelves. While certain strains may be more resilient, even “shelf-stable” probiotics typically include a recommendation—usually in the Storage and Handling section on the back of the box—advising not to store the product above 77°F (25°C).

That temperature is easily exceeded in delivery trucks during warmer months. So, while the label may give the illusion of stability, unrefrigerated shipping can silently kill the beneficial bacteria before the product even reaches your door.

The problem is that you won’t know if the product has been exposed to high temperatures. Unlike milk, which gives off a sour smell when it spoils, you won't see, smell, or taste any difference if the probiotic bacteria have died.

Once those bacteria die, the probiotic loses its potency—even if the packaging looks perfectly fine.

The Risk of Heat During Shipping

Shipping is one of the most overlooked threats to probiotic viability. One study (Shallenberger et al., 2015) examined packages shipped during the summer from Montana to warm-weather cities like Phoenix, Dallas, and Tampa. The shipments, carried by FedEx, UPS, and USPS, recorded internal package temperatures as high as 118°F (47.9°C)—well above the threshold for bacterial survival.

Even with 2-day air delivery, packages routinely experienced temperature spikes—on delivery trucks, airport tarmacs, or warehouse docks—that can destroy the delicate bacteria inside.

How Probiotics Should Be Shipped

To protect the integrity of live bacteria, probiotics must be shipped in insulated packaging with cold packs, and ideally include temperature sensors that ensure the product hasn’t been exposed to heat events during transit.

For example, Visbiome probiotics are shipped in curbside-recyclable coolers with ice packs. Each shipment includes a temperature sensor, which alerts the consumer if the package gets too warm—triggering a free replacement if needed.

Visbiome’s strains can handle short exposures to room temperature and are stable for up to a week under 77°F (25°C). However, once temperatures rise above 86°F (30°C), the bacteria begin to degrade rapidly.

Final Thoughts: Choose Refrigerated, Cold-Shipped Probiotics

In a perfect world, all probiotics would be shipped and stored using a Cold Chain system—just like Visbiome. Until that becomes the industry standard, it’s essential to be a proactive consumer:

✅ Look for probiotics that require refrigeration.

✅ Check how they’re shipped—insulated packaging with cold packs is a must.

✅ Be cautious with “shelf-stable” claims, and always read the label—especially the Storage and Handling section.

When it comes to probiotics, live bacteria are what matter. Don’t let them die in transit.