FDA Announces First Qualified Health Claim for Yogurt

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.  and BROOMFIELD, Colo. — In response to a petition submitted by Danone North America, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

The new claim states, “Eating yogurt regularly, at least two cups (three servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence.” This announcement is nearly five years in the making, during which time the FDA reviewed the existing research on yogurt and type 2 diabetes, which included data from over 300,000 individuals, and found including yogurt in the typical American diet could have a benefit to public health.

“We know that a growing body of research suggests regular yogurt consumption could reduce your risk of developing one of the most significant and rapidly rising health ailments in the United States,” said Miguel Freitas, Ph.D., vice president of health and scientific affairs at Danone North America. “That's why we decided to submit a petition for this first-of-its-kind qualified health claim. Our hope is that this announcement will empower consumers with simple, actionable information they can use to help lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through a realistic, easy-to-make dietary modification.”

According to the CDC, diabetes is one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. The American Diabetes Association reports it impacts more than 37 million Americans, with 1.4 million new cases diagnosed every year. The overwhelming majority of these cases are type 2 diabetes, the risk for which can often be managed with lifestyle changes such as being more active and eating nutrient-rich foods.

Nutrients commonly found in yogurt, like calcium and vitamin D, are identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as two nutrients critical for health but often under-consumed, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020 – 2025.

“Not only is yogurt a valuable source of important nutrients, it's also incredibly versatile,” said Amanda Blechman, registered dietitian and director of health and scientific affairs at Danone North America. “That makes it easy to incorporate into your daily routine in a way that suits your unique needs and preferences. Yogurt is a staple in my family's grocery cart, and we like to enjoy it with fruit, mix it into smoothies, dips, and dressings, and even use it as a cooking or baking ingredient.”

The newly announced qualified health claim supports Danone's broader mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible and comes on the heels of a $22 million investment by the company to improve education on, access to, and availability of nutritious and health-promoting foods by 2030, announced at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in 2022.