We have more reason to celebrate National Dairy Month thanks to a recent decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their decision gives yogurt a first-ever qualified health claim, linking regular consumption of the product to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

 

In March, the FDA in a letter of enforcement discretion stated that it “does not intend to object to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding the consumption of yogurt and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, provided that the qualified health claims are worded so as not to mislead consumers, and that other factors for the use of the claim are met.”

 

So, What Is a Qualified Health Claim?

While not as robust as a “rigorous scientific agreement,” a “Qualified Health Claim,” upon a rigorous review of scientific evidence provided, the FDA will issue a `Letter of Enforcement Discretion' for a "qualified health claim" when emerging evidence is credible and compelling enough to suggest a link between a certain food and a specific health benefit, in this case yogurt and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The FDA also imposes strict wording requirements on qualified health claims, both to reflect the amount of scientific evidence supporting this claim and to convey any other necessary qualifications.

Said the agency, “The FDA responded to a qualified health claim petition submitted on behalf of Danone North America that requested that the agency review the use of a qualified health claim regarding the relationship between consumption of yogurt and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes for all types of yogurts that meet the FDA’s standard of identity. The petition also noted that the evidence supports the health effects of yogurt as a food rather than related to any single nutrient or compound and thus is independent of fat or sugar content.

“After reviewing the petition and other evidence related to the proposed qualified health claim, the FDA determined that there is some credible evidence supporting a relationship between yogurt intake and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, but this evidence is limited. As noted in the petition, the association was based on yogurt as a food, rather than any single nutrient or compound in yogurt, regardless of fat or sugar content.

“The FDA considers 2 cups (3 servings) per week of yogurt to be the minimum amount for this qualified health claim. This letter discusses the factors that FDA intends to consider in the exercise of its enforcement discretion for the use of a qualified health claim on yogurt and the relationship between the consumption of yogurt and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

 

“The FDA intends to consider exercising its enforcement discretion for the following qualified health claims regarding the relationship between yogurt and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes:

  • “Eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. FDA has concluded that there is limited information supporting this claim." 
  • “Eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence.”

 

Finally, While Danone North America submitted the request five years ago alone, this qualified claim will apply to all dairy yogurts that the FDA has permitted to be sold under the FDA's standards of identity for yogurt as well as the general nutrient requirements required by the FDA for any food product that wishes to bear a health claim.