FDA publishes SME-friendly compliance guide on new yogurt standard

The 16-page document, available from the Food and Drug Administration’s website, is designed to help small businesses and producers to comply with the new requirements, which commence from January 1, 2024. FDA recently amended the standard for yogurt, removing the separate standards of identity for low fat and non fat yogurt which are both now covered under the general definition and standard of identity, which allows nutritionally modified versions of traditional standardized foods.

The guide covers most of the questions on formulation and labeling that manufacturers may have, including on ‘optional’ ingredients such as preservatives, colorants and sweeteners. The minimum requirements for yogurt are also listed, including what bacterial cultures must be used, what the pH requirements should be, the required specifications for adding vitamins to yogurt and how low fat and non fat products should be labeled from January 1, 2024.

The FDA also addresses some of the most common questions manufacturers may have, such as under what circumstances manufacturers can include a live cultures statement on-pack, or how to specify the amounts of added vitamins on the label.

The guidance can be downloaded here​ (PDF).