Health Claims on Yogurt
By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD
A recent CNN headline, “Yogurts Can Now Make Limited Claim That They Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk, FDA Says” caught a Vegetarian Resource Group member’s eye. They wondered if the health claim could appear on all yogurt or only on dairy yogurt.
We took a closer look at FDA’s ruling and learned that the yogurt referred to is only dairy yogurt. Specifically, FDA says that in order for the limited claim to appear on the label, the yogurt must meet FDA’s standard identity for yogurt which says:
Yogurt is the food produced by culturing one or more of the basic dairy ingredients specified in paragraph (b) of this section and any of the optional dairy ingredients specified in paragraph (c) of this section with a characterizing bacterial culture that contains the lactic acid-producing bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The ingredients specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section may be homogenized and must be pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized before the addition of the characterizing bacterial culture. One or more of the other optional ingredients specified in paragraph (d) of this section may also be added. Yogurt contains not less than 3.25 percent milkfat, except as provided for in paragraph (g) of this section, and not less than 8.25 percent milk solids not fat and has a pH of 4.6 or lower measured on the finished product within 24 hours after filling. To extend the shelf life of the food, yogurt may be treated after culturing to inactivate viable microorganisms.
(b) Basic dairy ingredients. Cream, milk, partially skimmed milk, skim milk, or the reconstituted versions of these ingredients may be used alone or in combination.
FDA is allowing a “Qualified Health Claim” on dairy yogurt packages. You can read more about what a Qualified Health Claim is here: https://www.vrg.org/blog/
The move comes in response to a 2018 petition submitted by food and beverage company Danone North America that asked the FDA to approve a Qualified Health Claim related to yogurt and type 2 diabetes. Following a review of research, FDA allowed a Qualified Health Claim on dairy yogurt that says either
Eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. FDA has concluded that there is limited information supporting this claim. OR Eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence.
The studies used to support this decision were all observational studies, meaning that researchers asked people what they ate, followed subjects for a number of years, and determined which subjects were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Those eating more dairy yogurt were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than were those eating less dairy yogurt. This could simply be a coincidence or indicate that those who ate more dairy yogurt practiced other behaviors that reduced their risk for diabetes. Studies did not report on the use of non-dairy yogurt, so we don’t know if this was also associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
The FDA suggests that it would not be appropriate to put the Qualified Health Claim on yogurt that exceeds specified amounts of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium. The FDA also encourages food companies to carefully consider “whether to use the claim on products that could contribute significant amounts of added sugars to the diet.” Many dairy yogurts contain generous amounts of added sugars.
To paraphrase Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, a nutrition expert and professor emerita at New York University, this new Qualified Health Claim should not be taken to mean that all that one needs to do to prevent type 2 diabetes is to eat a couple of cups of dairy yogurt per week.
Perhaps those who want to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes should consider choosing a healthy vegan diet. A number of studies have found that vegans have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared to nonvegetarians (1).
To read more about vegan diets and diabetes see:
Vegan Menu for People with Diabetes
A Vegan Diet May Reduce the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes in Overweight Adults
A Diet Emphasizing Whole Plant Foods Deemed Most Effective in Achieving Remission in Type 2 Diabetes
To read more about vegan yogurt see:
A Guide to Vegan Yogurt (2017)
Reference
- Craig WJ, Mangels AR, Fresán U, et al. The safe and effective use of plant-based diets with guidelines for health professionals. Nutrients. 2021;13(11):4144.
