The Dannon Company, Inc., manufactures a line of Activia yogurt products that are similar to other yogurt products with respect to nutritional content, flavor and texture. The line includes low-fat, non-fat and full fat yogurts, as well as smoothies, parfaits and dessert products. The major difference between Activia products and other yogurts is the live bacterial cultures that Dannon claims provide unique benefits to consumers.
Yogurt
To make any type of yogurt, manufacturers must add two specific bacterial cultures -- Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus -- to warm pasteurized milk, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These bacteria cause fermentation that produces the lactic acid that gives yogurt its tangy taste. Manufacturers may use regular, low-fat or non-fat milk to make the yogurt and may add a variety of ingredients afterward, including sugar, fruit, cereal and flavorings.
Nutritional Content
The nutritional content of any type of yogurt varies with the type of milk and other ingredients used. A 4-oz. serving of Vanilla Activia Light contains 70 calories, 5 g of protein, 7 g of sugar and no fat while Vanilla Activia Parfait Crunch made from reduced-fat milk has 220 calories, 7 g of protein, 29 g of sugar and 3 g of fat, according to the company's website. In contrast, a slightly larger -- 5.3-oz. -- serving of plain Stonyfield Greek yogurt has 80 calories, 15 g of protein, 6 g of sugar and no fat.
Bifidus Regularis
Dannon adds live bacterial cultures of Bifidus Regularis, the trademarked name for an organism found in the human intestines called Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010, to its Activia products. One of a group of beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods such as yogurt and cheese, various strains of Bifidobacteria, including Bifidus Regularis, can be used to treat bowel conditions such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.
Claims
In December 2010, Dannon reached a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission regarding exaggerated claims that one daily serving of Activia relieved temporary bowel irregularity. According to the FTC, consumers would need to eat Activia yogurt three times a day to reach the desired effect. The National Institutes of Health cautions that insufficient evidence exists to support claims that any Bifidobacteria are effective in treating or preventing the common cold, influenza, liver disease, lactose intolerance, cancer, high cholesterol or aging.
References
- AboutYogurt.com: Live and Active Culture Yogurt FAQ's
- Stonyfield Farm: Oikos Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
- MedlinePlus: Bifidobacteria
- AboutYogurt: Varieties of Yogurt
- Activia: Global FAQ's
- Federal Trade Commission: Dannon Agrees to Drop Exaggerated Health Claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive Dairy Drink
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