Does Aldi Greek Yogurt Have Active Cultures?

According to the National Yogurt Association (NYA), for a refrigerated product to carry the Live & Active Cultures (LAC) seal, it must contain a minimum of 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. So, does Aldi Greek yogurt have active cultures? The answer varies by brand, but many of Aldi's Greek yogurt products, particularly under the Friendly Farms and Specially Selected labels, are explicitly labeled as containing them.

Quick Summary

This article details which Greek yogurt options sold at Aldi, including Friendly Farms, Simply Nature, and Specially Selected, contain live and active cultures. It covers how to identify these products by reading the labels and discusses the general health benefits of consuming beneficial bacteria.

Key Points

• Check the Label: Most Aldi Greek yogurts, especially Friendly Farms and Specially Selected varieties in the US, explicitly state if they contain live and active cultures.

• Look for Specific Strains: Check the ingredients for specific cultures like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, which confirm their presence.

• Regional Differences Exist: Brands like Brooklea (UK) and Lyttos (Australia) may contain cultures, but labeling details can vary compared to US counterparts.

• Choose Low-Sugar Options: Plain, low-sugar Greek yogurts, like Friendly Farms, are often the healthiest choice for gut health and are explicitly labeled with their culture content.

• Avoid Heat-Treated Products: Heat-treating kills live bacteria, so always check the packaging for any indication of post-fermentation pasteurization.

• Recognize Voluntary Seals: The "Live & Active Cultures" (LAC) seal is voluntary, so its absence does not automatically mean the product lacks cultures.

Understanding Live and Active Cultures

Live and active cultures are beneficial microorganisms used to ferment milk and turn it into yogurt. These bacteria are crucial for digestion and gut health, with some strains also classified as probiotics. However, not all yogurts contain live cultures, as some are heat-treated after the fermentation process, which kills the beneficial bacteria. A primary way to confirm if a yogurt contains live cultures is to check for the "Live & Active Cultures" seal from the National Yogurt Association (NYA) or to review the ingredients list for specific bacterial strains.

Aldi's Greek Yogurt Brands

Aldi offers several different brands of yogurt, with the availability depending on the region (e.g., US, UK, Australia). The main brands for Greek yogurt are Friendly Farms, Specially Selected, and Simply Nature, with product formulations potentially varying by country.

• Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt (US): The Friendly Farms Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt, for instance, is noted by dietitians for its high protein, low sugar, and content of live cultures. Labels for Friendly Farms yogurts often list specific cultures, such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium, and L. acidophilus. Look for the "Live & Active Cultures" phrase on the packaging to be certain.
• Specially Selected Greek Yogurt (US): This brand's indulgent Greek yogurts, like the Honey Vanilla variety, also contain live and active cultures. Checking the ingredient list will confirm the specific strains, such as B. lactis, L. acidophilus, and S. thermophilus, among others.
• Simply Nature Organic Greek Yogurt (US): The organic Greek yogurt under the Simply Nature label is made with milk and cultures, and the packaging typically confirms the presence of live and active cultures. As with other products, the cultures used are responsible for the fermentation process.
• International Brands (e.g., UK, Australia): In other regions, Aldi sells brands like Brooklea, Lyttos, and Yoguri. While some like Lyttos are made with "live cultures", the specific strains or amounts might not always be disclosed, unlike the explicit labeling often found on US products. Customers are advised to check local packaging for detailed information.

How to Verify the Presence of Active Cultures

While yogurt is defined by the fermentation process using specific bacteria, this doesn't guarantee the final product contains live and active cultures. Here's what to look for:

1. Read the Label: The most direct method is to look for phrases like "contains live and active cultures" or "made with active cultures".
2. Look for the Seal: The Live & Active Cultures (LAC) seal from the IDFA is a reliable sign, but its use is voluntary, so its absence doesn't mean a product lacks cultures.
3. Check the Ingredients: A specific list of bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium, on the ingredients list is a clear indicator.
4. Avoid Heat-Treated Products: Some manufacturers heat-treat yogurt after fermentation to extend shelf life, which kills the beneficial bacteria. Products marked this way, or that list "heat-treated after culturing," will not have active cultures.

Comparison of Selected Aldi Greek Yogurts

Feature	Friendly Farms Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt (US)	Specially Selected Indulgent Greek Yogurt (US)	Lyttos Greek Style Yogurt (Australia)
Live Cultures Present?	Yes, explicitly listed	Yes, explicitly listed	Yes, listed as containing cultures
Probiotic Strains	Includes Bifidobacterium, L. acidophilus, S. thermophilus, etc.	Includes B. lactis, L. acidophilus, S. thermophilus, etc.	Strains not specified on label.
Added Sugars	0 grams	Contains added sugar, varies by flavor.	No added sugar.
Protein Content	High protein (approx. 15g per serving)	Good protein content, less than plain versions.	Good protein content (5.9%).
Texture	Thick and creamy, standard Greek style.	Indulgent, often with honey or fruit.	Thick and creamy, authentic Greek style.
Best For	Gut health, high protein, low sugar options	Desserts or high-flavor snacks	Natural, basic yogurt for general use

Benefits of Consuming Yogurt with Active Cultures

Yogurt with live and active cultures provides several health benefits beyond its nutritional value.

• Improved Digestion: The bacteria can aid in breaking down food and nutrient absorption. For individuals with lactose intolerance, the cultures help break down lactose, making yogurt easier to digest than milk.
• Enhanced Gut Microbiome: The gut microbiome is the community of organisms living in your digestive tract. Consuming live cultures helps to maintain a healthy balance of these beneficial microbes, which can have wider positive effects on overall health.
• Strengthened Immune Function: The beneficial microbes in the gut are known to support immune function.
• Potential Reduction in Health Risks: Some studies suggest links between regular consumption of live cultures and a reduced risk of certain health issues, such as heart disease.

Making the Best Choice for Your Needs

When navigating the yogurt aisle at Aldi, it's essential to have a strategy to ensure you're getting a product that meets your needs. For those specifically seeking live and active cultures for gut health, a simple, plain, and low-sugar Greek yogurt is often the best choice. You can always sweeten it naturally with your own fruit, honey, or granola. The Friendly Farms Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt is a standout option in the US for this purpose, offering probiotics, protein, and no added sugar. For those seeking an indulgent treat, check the labels of the Specially Selected products to confirm they still contain the desired cultures. For customers in other countries, like the UK or Australia, looking for explicit confirmation of cultures on the Brooklea or Lyttos packaging is the most reliable approach. Regardless of location, remember to always read the label thoroughly, as product formulations and labeling standards can vary.

Conclusion

Yes, many Greek yogurts sold at Aldi do contain active cultures, but it is not a universal guarantee across all brands and product lines. For US consumers, the Friendly Farms and Specially Selected Greek yogurts explicitly state the inclusion of live cultures on the label. Internationally, Aldi's house brands like Brooklea and Lyttos contain live cultures, though sometimes with less specific details on strains compared to US labels. By reading the packaging, checking for the "Live & Active Cultures" seal (where applicable), and inspecting the ingredients list for specific bacterial names, you can confidently choose an Aldi Greek yogurt that provides the beneficial bacteria you're looking for.

Finding More Information

For more detailed information on probiotics and healthy eating, consulting authoritative sources is recommended. A helpful resource on the benefits of probiotics and gut health is the article "What Are the Benefits of Yogurt With Live Active Cultures?".

Note: While Greek yogurt is often a great source of live cultures, flavored varieties can be high in added sugars, which can negate some of the health benefits. Choosing plain yogurt and adding your own toppings is a simple way to control sugar intake while enjoying the benefits of active cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which specific Aldi Greek yogurt brands contain live cultures?

In the US, Friendly Farms and Specially Selected Greek yogurts are reliably labeled as containing live and active cultures. Look for the phrase on the packaging of products like the Friendly Farms Plain Low Sugar Greek Yogurt.

How can I tell if an Aldi yogurt has probiotics?

To confirm if an Aldi yogurt has probiotics, check the ingredient list for names of specific probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium or L. acidophilus, or look for the phrase "contains live and active cultures" on the label.

Is Aldi's Simply Nature Organic Greek yogurt a good source of active cultures?

Yes, Simply Nature's Organic Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt is made with cultures and generally contains live and active cultures. As always, checking the specific product label is recommended.

Are Greek yogurts from Aldi's international stores guaranteed to have live cultures?

Yogurt brands vary by country. For example, UK and Australian brands like Brooklea and Lyttos list live cultures, but the amount or specific strains may not be as clearly specified as on US labels. Always check the local packaging.

What is the Live & Active Cultures (LAC) seal, and do Aldi yogurts have it?

The LAC seal is a voluntary certification from the IDFA indicating a product contains a significant number of live cultures at the time of manufacture. Some Aldi yogurts may carry it, but its absence doesn't mean the product lacks cultures, as the seal is not mandatory.

Does straining Greek yogurt remove the active cultures?

The claim that straining Greek yogurt removes beneficial bacteria is not supported by scientific evidence. In fact, some evidence suggests Greek yogurt may even contain more probiotics.

Can added sugar in flavored Greek yogurt affect the benefits of active cultures?

While added sugar doesn't kill the cultures, high-sugar content can offset the overall health benefits of the yogurt. For the most health benefits, it is best to choose plain yogurt and add natural sweeteners like fruit or honey.