The Trump Administration announced last week that it plans to issue a final rule to amend the standard of identity for yogurt and revoke the separate standards of identity for lowfat and nonfat yogurt. IDFA has consistently advocated for updates to the yogurt standards and for a final rule during the past decade, following the release of the proposed rule in 2009. IDFA expects FDA to issue the final rule soon this fall.

According to Ned Sharpless, M.D., FDA commissioner, “This will allow for technological advances in food processing, reflect industry practices and align the standards with products in the marketplace.” He said the final rule will define “safe and suitable ingredients” for yogurt, including cultures, flavoring, color additives, stabilizers, emulsifiers and preservatives.

“This rule will also help remove barriers to innovation while preserving the basic nature and essential characteristics of yogurt expected by consumers,” he added.

Path for Continued Growth

Current federal standards of identity for yogurt don’t reflect or accommodate new processing methods and new food ingredients. The outdated standards hinder innovation, impede the production of healthier products and thwart efforts to meet changing consumer preferences. IDFA has consistently called for updates to the standards to allow new technologies and ingredients and pave the way for fresh products and packaging options.  

“IDFA has been a vocal advocate for increasing innovation in our industry, and we have strongly supported updating regulations that will provide a path for continued growth,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. “IDFA believes FDA will adopt many of the changes we have advocated for, but we will not know for sure which requests were accepted until the final rule is published.”

The announcement was included in the administration’s Spring 2019 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, which compiles a list of regulations under development by federal agencies.

For more information, contact John Allan, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and international standards, at jallan@idfa.org.