FDA petitioned to change standard of identity for yogurt

USA – The National Yogurt Association (NYA) has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change the standard of identity for yogurt.

The NYA is dissatisfied with the current standards of identity that only differentiate by the milk fat content.

It is also unhappy that when the standards were set, a number of provisions were made for consideration at a later date, but as yet the FDA has not moved to look at them or even set a date to do so.

It said that the current provisions are too loose and do not protect the interests of the customer, and that ‘yogurt’ producers could be making misleading claims.

A statement from the FDA said: “Under the current yogurt standards, a consumer buying yogurt for its particular characteristics, such as the health benefits associated with live and active cultures, has no assurance that the yogurt contains live and active cultures.”