Packaged emulsified food compositions (e.g., salad dressings including an oil/water emulsion) including a probiotic, which may be included therein, without requiring heating during packaging, and without requiring refrigeration for long term shelf stability. The probiotic may be sporeforming. In an embodiment the probiotic comprises spores which do not germinate until ingested by a consumer (e.g., such that the spores germinate in the intestinal tract of the consumer). The probiotic may comprise Bacillus coagulans spores, which may be added to the emulsion following addition of an acid. The salad dressing or other food composition advantageously can be cold packed, requiring no heating during manufacture, and no refrigeration after packaging, all while providing stability of 1 year or more.
