Evidence from human microbiome research, randomized controlled trials testing interventions containing probiotics on preventive and therapeutic endpoints, and associative studies linking fermented food consumption with improved health, all point to the value of the consumption of live microbes for supporting human health. Various international organizations are interested in moving forward the concept of a dietary recommendation for live microbes. Although many scientists and organizations have independently hypothesized that consuming live microbes may be beneficial to health, understanding this relationship and developing a recommended intake range requires a systematic approach, including evaluation of existing evidence, addressing evidence gaps, and aligning the information with a framework of data needs required to support a recommendation. In this session, the most recent evidence supporting benefits of live dietary microbes and health outcomes, as well as challenges to making these links will be reviewed. Recent work to fill evidence gaps and future directions/needs for developing a dietary recommendation for live microbes will be covered.