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In a nearly five-year decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided that yogurt can now make limited claims that it may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, federal officials concluded Friday. Ta.
This decision marks the first qualified health claim issued by a federal agency for yogurt.
According to the FDA, qualified health claims are “supported by scientific evidence but do not meet the more stringent 'significant scientific consensus' standard required for authorized health claims.” “To ensure that these claims are not misleading, they must be accompanied by a disclaimer or other appropriate language that accurately communicates to consumers the level of scientific evidence supporting the claim.”
In the case of yogurt, limited scientific evidence suggests that “regularly eating at least 2 cups (3 servings) of yogurt per week” reduces the risk of this disease, which affects approximately 38 million people in the United States. It is claimed that this can be reduced. Worldwide he has 462 million people.
Basak Gulbuz Dharma/Moment RF/Getty Images
Yogurt can be a nutritionally rich addition to a healthy diet.
The recommended serving size is based on two prospective cohorts evaluated in high-quality studies, stating that the specific amount is the minimum necessary to achieve the claimed effect. This is the FDA's conclusion.
Yogurt made from milk fermented with probiotics B. bulgaricus and B. thermophilus is rich in calcium, protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
This movement started in 2018. Petition filed by food and beverage company Danone North America. The filing begins the FDA's review of existing research on the link between yogurt and type 2 diabetes, according to a news release.
“The petition to allow qualified health claims related to type 2 diabetes to appear on yogurt labels takes appropriate steps and includes peer-reviewed research supporting the petition.” said Caroline Passerello, registered dietitian and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin. Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, via email.
But in addition to limited supporting research, it's “not very strong,” Passerello added. “Given the way the study was conducted, we can't say there's a cause-and-effect relationship, but we do see a correlation between type 2 diabetes and yogurt.”
CNN has reached out to the FDA for comment.
Qualified health claims have been allowed by the FDA since 2000 for dietary supplements and since 2002 for foods, but they are rarely published.In the past 10 years, only 10 foods containing high flavonols have been approved for sale with such claims. Cocoa powder reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and certain cranberry products reduce the chance of recurring urinary tract infections in women.
Dr. Marion Nestle, a nutritionist and molecular biologist, echoed Passerello's sentiments, adding that “qualified health claims are ridiculous on their face.”
“Why would a reasonable person think that eating two cups of yogurt a week is all that is needed to prevent type 2 diabetes?” Paulette Goddard, Nutrition, Food Research, and Public Health, New York University Nestlé, a professor emeritus, said in an email. “All we want is for the yogurt to be at least unsweetened, but it's very hard to find unsweetened yogurt, so this is a great opportunity for people who want to avoid type 2 diabetes to know that sweetened yogurt is better for you.” That's what I'm going to tell you.”
“According to the FDA research study, the amount of sugar in yogurt did not affect the results,” Nestlé added. “So according to the FDA, sugar is not the problem.”
Any yogurt can make this limited claim as long as it uses the precise language specified by the FDA, Nestlé added. Multiple studies have shown that high intake of added sugars increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Adding to the questionability of this claim is the reality that the cause of type 2 diabetes is multifactorial, and while yogurt can be part of a healthy, weight-maintaining diet, It is unreasonable to expect that there is a causal relationship with diabetes prevention.” It doesn’t make sense in the context of the whole diet,” Nestlé said.
In this context, Nestlé added that it is important to use “common sense” when evaluating product health claims to make the best choice for your diet and health condition. .
Previous research suggests limiting your added sugar intake to less than 25 grams per day, or about 6 teaspoons. This is the equivalent of about 2 1/2 chocolate chip cookies, 16 ounces of fruit punch, or about 1 1/2 tablespoons of honey.
Nutritionist and author Lisa Drayer contributed to this report.
