THE PRESENT INVENTION PROVIDES A GROWTH INHIBITOR FOR THERMOPHILIC ACIDOPHILIC BACILLI THAT IS USED IN A SUBJECT IN WHICH GROWTH OF THERMOPHILIC ACIDOPHILIC BACILLI IS TO BE INHIBITED, AND EXHIBITS EXCELLENT GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECT ON THE BACTERIA. THE PRESENT INVENTION ALSO PROVIDES A METHOD FOR INHIBITING THERMOPHILIC ACIDOPHILIC BACILLI, ACIDIC BEVERAGES HAVING GOOD APPEARANCE AND FLAVOR WHEREIN GROWTH OF THERMOPHILIC ACIDOPHILIC BACILLI IS EFFECTIVELY INHIBITED, AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH BEVERAGES. THE PRESENT GROWTH INHIBITOR CONTAINS AS AN ACTIVE COMPONENT LACTIC ACID IN AN AMOUNT EFFECTIVE TO INHIBIT GROWTH OF THERMOPHILIC ACIDOPHILIC BACILLI, AND THE PRESENT METHOD FOR INHIBITING THE GROWTH AND THE PRESENT METHOD FOR PRODUCING ACIDIC BEVERAGES EMPLOY THE GROWTH INHIBITOR.
