Describes a new strain of Streptococcus thermophilus ssp. salivarius (deposited on 4 Dec. 2001 at the DSMZ--Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany, with accession No. DSM 14667) and edible compositions, drugs and veterinary products containing it. The use of the said strain is particularly effective in the prevention/treatment of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and in nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis.