There is provided viable Escherichia coli (E. coli) embedded in a matrix, wherein said matrix has a water activity (aw)≤；0.3, and wherein said matrix comprises a hydrocolloid-forming polysaccharide, a second polysaccharide which is different from the first polysaccharide, and a disaccharide which includes sucrose, trehalose, or a combination thereof. There is also provided methods of making same and use thereof.
