Which Greek yogurt has live cultures in it?

According to the National Yogurt Association (NYA), a certified product must contain at least 100 million live and active cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. This makes knowing which Greek yogurt has live cultures in it crucial for consumers seeking genuine probiotic benefits for their digestive health.

Quick Summary

Several popular brands, including Chobani, Fage, Stonyfield, and Siggi's, offer Greek yogurts containing live and active cultures. Shoppers should look for the official seal or check the ingredients for specific bacterial strains to ensure the product is not heat-treated after fermentation.

Key Points

• Check for the LAC Seal: Look for the 'Live and Active Cultures' seal on the packaging, which is an easy way to verify the presence of beneficial bacteria.

• Review the Ingredient List: Many yogurts list the specific bacterial strains, such as L. acidophilus or Bifidobacterium, on their ingredients panel.

• Avoid Heat-Treated Products: Heat treatment after fermentation kills live cultures. Choose unheated varieties to ensure probiotic content.

• Consider Specific Brands: Popular brands like Chobani, Fage, Stonyfield, Siggi's, and Nancy's are known to contain live cultures in many of their Greek yogurt varieties.

• Opt for Plain Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt often undergoes less processing than flavored versions and is a safer bet for maximizing live culture content.

• Focus on Freshness: The number of live cultures can diminish over time, so checking the expiration date and opting for a fresher product can be beneficial.

Understanding Live and Active Cultures

All yogurt is made by fermenting milk with live bacterial cultures, specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. However, not all yogurt products sold retain these cultures in an active state. Some manufacturers use heat treatment, or pasteurization, after the fermentation process to extend shelf life. This process kills the beneficial bacteria, rendering the final product non-probiotic. For a yogurt to provide genuine gut health benefits, it must contain a significant number of live and active cultures.

The "Live and Active Cultures" Seal

To help consumers, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Yogurt Association (NYA) provide a voluntary "Live and Active Cultures" (LAC) seal. Looking for this specific seal is the easiest way to ensure your Greek yogurt contains the beneficial bacteria you're seeking. The seal guarantees that the product met a minimum threshold of live bacteria at the time of manufacture. While some brands may contain live cultures without featuring the seal, its presence offers reliable verification.

Top Greek Yogurt Brands with Live Cultures

Many leading Greek yogurt brands consistently include live and active cultures in their products. Shoppers can typically find these in the refrigerated section of most major grocery stores.

Chobani Greek Yogurt

Chobani is a widely available brand known for its probiotic content. Its Greek yogurts contain a blend of live and active cultures, including S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, and L. Rhamnosus. These are added to the milk during the natural fermentation process. Chobani also offers a line of “Zero Sugar” drinks, which are naturally fermented and rich in probiotics.

Fage Total Greek Yogurt

Fage (pronounced 'fa-yeh'), originating from Athens, Greece, includes live and active cultures across its entire yogurt line. The plain varieties, such as Fage Total, explicitly list live active yogurt cultures on their ingredient labels, including L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, and L. Casei. The brand is also known for its thick, creamy texture resulting from its authentic straining process.

Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt

Stonyfield is a reliable choice for organic products that contain live and active cultures. Their Greek yogurts are made with organic milk from pasture-raised cows and contain a variety of cultures, such as S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Paracasei, and L. Rhamnosus. All Stonyfield yogurts are certified organic and non-GMO.

Siggi's Icelandic Skyr

Siggi's specializes in Icelandic-style yogurt known as skyr, which is strained even more than traditional Greek yogurt for a thicker consistency and higher protein content. The brand is transparent about its use of live cultures, often including multiple strains like L. Acidophilus, which are listed on the label. Siggi's is also favored for its lower sugar content compared to many other brands.

Nancy's Probiotic Yogurt

Nancy's has a long-standing reputation for producing probiotic-rich dairy products. Their Greek yogurt products promise a high count of live cultures, including specific well-researched strains like BB-12®, LA-5®, and L. rhamnosus, which they list clearly on their labels.

How to Identify Live Cultures Yourself

If you're unsure whether a product contains live and active cultures, a few simple checks can help you make an informed decision:

• Read the Ingredient List: Look for terms like "live and active cultures" or specific bacterial names like Lactobacillus acidophilus.
• Look for the Seal: Check for the official IDFA/NYA "Live and Active Cultures" seal on the packaging.
• Choose Plain Varieties: Plain Greek yogurt is less likely to have undergone additional processing, such as high heat pasteurization, compared to some flavored varieties that contain extra additives.
• Consider Freshness: The number of live cultures can decrease over time. Choosing a product with a fresher date may offer higher viable culture counts.
• Evaluate Taste: The fermentation process gives yogurt a characteristic tangy flavor. If a plain yogurt tastes bland or overly sweet, it may indicate a lack of active cultures.

Comparison of Top Greek Yogurts with Live Cultures

Feature	Chobani	Fage Total	Stonyfield Organic	Siggi's Skyr	Nancy's Probiotic
Live Cultures	S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, L. Rhamnosus	L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei	S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Paracasei, L. Rhamnosus	L. Acidophilus and others	BB-12®, LA-5®, L. rhamnosus and more
LAC Seal	Yes	Meets NYA criteria	Yes	No seal, lists cultures	No seal, lists cultures
Organic	No, but Non-GMO	No, but Non-GMO feed	Yes, USDA Organic	No, but milk from local farms	Yes, Organic
Protein Content	High	High	High	Very High	High
Availability	Very Wide	Wide	Wide	Wide	Moderate

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Determining which Greek yogurt has live cultures in it is straightforward with a little attention to detail at the grocery store. While many top brands like Chobani, Fage, Stonyfield, and Siggi's reliably offer products with live and active cultures, always verifying the label is the safest bet. Looking for the official LAC seal or an explicit list of live cultures on the ingredients panel ensures you are purchasing a product with the probiotic benefits you seek. Making an informed choice supports not only your preference for a tangy and creamy yogurt but also your overall digestive health. For more on the benefits of probiotics, consult resources like the International Dairy Foods Association at https://www.idfa.org/live-active-cultures-seal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Live and Active Cultures (LAC) seal?

The LAC seal is a voluntary certification from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Yogurt Association (NYA). It indicates that a yogurt product contains at least 100 million live and active cultures per gram at the time of manufacture.

Does Greek yogurt always have live cultures?

No, not all Greek yogurts have live cultures. Some are heat-treated after the fermentation process, which kills the beneficial bacteria. Always check the label for the LAC seal or a list of specific cultures.

Are Chobani and Fage Greek yogurts probiotic?

Yes, both Chobani and Fage Greek yogurts contain live and active cultures. Chobani lists multiple probiotic strains, and Fage's plain varieties also include beneficial cultures.

Is flavored Greek yogurt less healthy than plain yogurt with live cultures?

Flavored Greek yogurt often contains significant amounts of added sugar, which can counteract some of the health benefits. Plain yogurt is generally a healthier choice, with the flexibility to add your own natural sweeteners like fruit or honey.

How can I tell if a dairy-free Greek yogurt has live cultures?

For plant-based Greek yogurts, you must check the product label explicitly. Look for phrases like 'live and active cultures' or specific strains listed, as fortification with probiotics varies by brand.

Do I get more probiotics from Greek yogurt or regular yogurt?

While anecdotal evidence and some initial studies suggest Greek yogurt may have more probiotics due to its concentration process, there is no conclusive scientific consensus. The straining process for Greek yogurt doesn't necessarily remove live cultures; checking the label remains key.

What are some of the benefits of eating Greek yogurt with live cultures?

Eating Greek yogurt with live cultures can support digestive health by introducing beneficial microbes into the gut microbiome. It may also help improve immune function and aid in lactose digestion for sensitive individuals.