Skip to main content

FDA Says Yogurt Makers Can Make 'Qualified' Claims About T2D Prevention

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 5, 2024.

By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, March 4, 2024 -- In a statement released Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it will not object to yogurt manufacturers making "qualified health claims" that say there is some evidence that eating at least two cups of yogurt a week may lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

The FDA has allowed "qualified health claims" for dietary supplements since 2000 and for foods since 2002, the Associated Press reported.

According to the agency, a qualified health claim is supported by scientific evidence, but it does not meet the more rigorous "significant scientific agreement" standard required for an authorized health claim.

Some of the qualified health claims that the FDA has allowed in the past include that consuming some types of cocoa may reduce heart disease and cranberry juice might reduce the risk for urinary tract infections in women.

In the case of yogurt, the saga began in 2018 when Danone North America, whose yogurt brands include Dannon, Activia, and Horizon Organics, petitioned the FDA for approval to make the health claim. In its petition, the company pointed to studies that observed participants over time and found a link between eating yogurt and lower markers of diabetes. The FDA agreed there "is some credible evidence" of benefit from eating yogurt as a whole food, but not because of any particular nutrient in the product.

Still, critics said the label change is not based on gold-standard randomized controlled trials. Food policy expert Marion Nestle told the Associated Press that qualified health claims are "ridiculous on their face."

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Irregular Sleep Duration Tied to Increased Risk for Developing Diabetes

FRIDAY, July 19, 2024 -- Irregular sleep duration is associated with elevated diabetes risk, according to a study published online July 17 in Diabetes Care. Sina Kianersi, Ph.D...

Aging Into Medicare Tied to Higher Drug Costs for People With Diabetes

WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2024 -- As people with diabetes age into Medicare, they face increased quarterly out-of-pocket costs for medication, according to a study published online July...

Suicidal Ideation, Behaviors Not Increased With GLP-1 RAs for Seniors With T2D

TUESDAY, July 16, 2024 -- For older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) is not associated with a significantly...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.