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.