Does Pasteurized Greek Yogurt Still Have Probiotics? The Clear Answer

November 27, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Yogurt Association, yogurt with the 'Live and Active Cultures' (LAC) seal contains at least 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. This seal can be your guide to finding out if pasteurized Greek yogurt still has probiotics, as many brands add these beneficial bacteria back after the heating process.

Quick Summary

Pasteurization of milk kills bacteria, but live cultures are often added back to Greek yogurt afterwards. Look for the 'Live and Active Cultures' seal or check the ingredient list to ensure beneficial probiotics are present.

Key Points

Pasteurization Occurs First: The milk used for Greek yogurt is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria before the fermentation process begins.
Live Cultures Are Added Back: For Greek yogurt to have probiotics, live and active cultures are introduced after the initial milk pasteurization.
Check for the LAC Seal: The 'Live and Active Cultures' seal on the packaging is a reliable indicator that the yogurt contains beneficial bacteria.
Read the Ingredient List: Look for specific probiotic strains like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium listed in the ingredients to confirm live cultures.
Beware of Heat-Treated Products: Some yogurts are heat-treated after culturing, which destroys the probiotics. Avoid these for live culture benefits.
Nutritional Value Remains: Greek yogurt without live cultures still provides a good source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients.
Compare Your Options: Consider plain, lower-sugar varieties and compare different yogurt types like kefir, which may offer even higher probiotic counts.

Understanding Pasteurization and Yogurt Production

Pasteurization is a heat treatment process used in commercial food production to kill harmful pathogens and increase shelf life. For yogurt, milk is pasteurized before the beneficial live cultures are added. This makes the milk safe and prepares it for fermentation. The misconception that all pasteurized products lack live bacteria arises from not recognizing that cultures are added after the heating step.

The Fermentation Process: Adding Cultures Back In

After pasteurization and cooling, specific bacterial starter cultures, like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, are introduced. These cultures ferment lactose into lactic acid, creating yogurt's taste and texture. Greek yogurt is further strained to remove whey, concentrating protein. Probiotics are introduced during fermentation and remain if the product isn't heat-treated afterwards.

How to Find Greek Yogurt with Probiotics

Not all Greek yogurts contain live probiotics. Some undergo post-fermentation heat treatment, which kills the cultures. To ensure live, active probiotics, check labels carefully:

The Live and Active Cultures (LAC) Seal: This seal, from the IDFA, indicates a specific amount of live cultures were present at manufacturing.
Ingredient List: Look for specific strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium lactis if there's no LAC seal.
Avoid 'Heat-Treated After Culturing': Products with this label lack live cultures and probiotic benefits.

Comparison of Yogurt Types and Probiotic Content


Feature	Traditional Greek Yogurt	Heat-Treated Greek Yogurt	Probiotic Supplemented Greek Yogurt
Pasteurization	Yes, milk pasteurized first	Yes, milk pasteurized first	Yes, milk pasteurized first
Probiotic Presence	Yes, if not heat-treated after	No, cultures killed by post-heating	Yes, cultures added after pasteurization
Live Cultures	Yes	No	Yes
Label Indication	'Live and Active Cultures' seal or ingredients list	Often no mention of 'live cultures' or specifies 'heat-treated'	'Live and Active Cultures' seal or lists specific probiotic strains
Gut Health Benefits	Excellent source of live probiotics	Lacks live probiotic benefits, but retains other nutrients	Offers targeted and potentially higher counts of specific probiotic strains
Primary Use	Promoting gut health, digestive balance	Source of protein and calcium, not probiotics	Promoting gut health with a specific probiotic focus

The Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt with Probiotics

Greek yogurt with probiotics offers nutritional benefits beyond live cultures. Straining increases protein, aiding satiety and muscle health. Fermentation breaks down lactose, which can help those with sensitivity. Probiotic-fortified Greek yogurt supports gut health, linked to digestion and immunity.

For varied probiotic intake, consider other fermented foods like kefir, which often has more diverse and numerous cultures than yogurt.

Can Greek yogurt still provide benefits without probiotics?

Heat-treated Greek yogurt, without live probiotics, still provides protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B12. It's a nutritious food even without live culture gut benefits. Research on postbiotics, bioactive compounds from dead probiotics, suggests potential benefits even in heat-treated products.

Conclusion: How to Choose Wisely

Does pasteurized Greek yogurt still have probiotics? Yes, but only if live cultures are added post-pasteurization. Always check labels for the 'Live and Active Cultures' seal or specific probiotic strains to ensure you're getting live cultures. Don't assume all Greek yogurt contains active probiotics. Making an informed choice based on the label helps you select a product that meets your health goals. For prioritizing gut health, choosing a brand with live cultures maximizes probiotic benefits. For more information on probiotic health, consult the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. https://isappscience.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Greek yogurt is a fermented dairy product. The fermentation process is what turns the milk into yogurt with the use of specific starter cultures. However, this doesn't guarantee the presence of live cultures in the final product if it is heat-treated afterward.

No, straining the yogurt to make it thicker does not remove the beneficial bacteria. Greek yogurt often has a more concentrated amount of protein, and the live cultures remain in the finished product, provided no further heat treatment is applied.

The most definitive way is to look for the 'Live and Active Cultures' (LAC) seal on the label. You can also check the ingredient list for specific probiotic strain names, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium lactis.

Flavored yogurts, especially those with high sugar content, can have lower levels of live cultures. Added sugars can affect the survival of the bacteria. For optimal probiotic content, plain or unsweetened varieties are generally recommended.

Heat-treated Greek yogurt is not 'bad' for you; it is simply not a source of live probiotics. It still provides valuable nutrients like protein and calcium, but it lacks the gut-health benefits associated with live cultures.

While Greek yogurt can be an excellent source of probiotics, for optimal gut health, it's beneficial to consume a variety of probiotic-rich foods. Diversifying your intake with other fermented foods can support a wider range of beneficial gut bacteria.

Live cultures are the microorganisms used to ferment the milk and make yogurt. All yogurt contains live cultures, but not all of these have a clinically proven probiotic effect. The term 'probiotic' refers to specific strains of live microorganisms that provide a health benefit when consumed in adequate amounts.