Yogurt Standard of Identity
Final Rule released by FDA
The FDA has released a final rule for the standard of identity of yogurt. Currently, the FDA has separate standards of identity for yogurt, low fat yogurt and nonfat yogurt as yogurt is defined as containing “not less than 3.25 percent milk fat and not less than 8.25 percent milk solids not fat.”
Under the final rule, low and non fat yogurt will be covered under FDA’s general definition and standard of identity of yogurt. In addition, the rule establishes functional classes of safe and suitable ingredients including cultures, flavoring, color additives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and preservatives, and replaces the list of nutritive sweeteners with the term “nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners” and permits the use of fortification with vitamin A and vitamin D, as long as it is within the fortification guidelines and states.
I find it interesting that one changes is that the final rule permits the optional labeling statement “contains live and active cultures” or similar and for yogurt treated to inactivate viable microorganisms, the final rule requires a statement of “does not contain live and active cultures” on the label.
Schedule a call today if we can help you in anyway. Happy to help explain this change in person if necessary!