• On April 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final order to modify the yogurt standard of identity final rule, published on June 9, 2021
  • FDA has denied the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) request for a public hearing and is issuing a final order to modify the final rule with respect to maximum pH.  FDA has amended the yogurt standard acidity requirement to require products to have a pH of 4.6 or lower, so as to ensure the safety of yogurt while maintaining its basic nature and essential characteristics.
  • In December 2022, FDA made modifications to the rule to allow the use of all safe and suitable sweeteners, including non-nutritive sweeteners, and to make the minimum optional fortification of Vitamin D 10% of the Daily Value.  FDA also modified the general definition and standard of identity under 21 CFR 130.10 to permit the use of fat-containing flavors (such as coconut flakes, chocolate, etc.) in lower fat yogurt).
  • The final rule is effective on April 14, 2023 and the compliance date is January 1, 2024.  Additional details can be found in the Federal Register notice.