Lecco, Italy — A patented probiotic strain has been combined with Agostoni Chocolate’s premium Italian dark chocolate for the manufacturer’s new private label program.

The company has teamed with Ganeden Biotech, Inc., maker of the probiotic strain GanedenBC30, to develop the Chocolate Plus Private Label program. The 0.5- and 1.1-ounce chocolate bars contain between 60 and 70 percent cocoa, and retailers can opt to sell varieties with probiotic and toasted flax seed for additional omega oils. The program is now available to U.S. retailers, according to Kimberly Fox, Agostoni’s manager of private label.

The probiotics do not interfere with the chocolate’s final premium flavor, making it an ideal functional solution, according to Dr. Antonio Agostoni, head of product development.