Yogurt's Got A Lot To Answer For

[buffalocust]

From the New York Times, an article describing that the yogurt sold at Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt chain wasn't as "natural" as the company claimed:

"The All-Natural Taste That Wasn’t " http://is.gd/91z (http://is.gd/91z)

Also from the same article: "In January another yogurt-related class action lawsuit was filed, against Dannon, challenging the company’s claims that the benefits of its trademarked probiotics were “clinically” and “scientifically” proven."

Nice to see these claims being challenged.

[robinson]

The first part of the story is from a Seinfeld episode.

The second issue, Probiotics, is based on extensive scientific work.

Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis Bb12 Supplementation on Intestinal Microbiota of Preterm Infants: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study. J Clin Microbiol. 2006 November; 44(11): 4025–4031.

Adherence of Probiotic Bacteria to Human Intestinal Mucus in Healthy Infants and during Rotavirus Infection. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2001 March; 8(2): 293–296.

Innate mechanisms for Bifidobacterium lactis to activate transient pro-inflammatory host responses in intestinal epithelial cells after the colonization of germ-free rats. Immunology. 2005 August; 115(4): 441–450.

A fermented milk with Bifidobacterium probiotic strain DN-173 010 shortened oro-fecal gut transit time in elderly. Microb Ecology Health Dis,2001; 13: 217-222.

Bifidobacterium animalis, strain DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women. A double-blind randomised controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2002; 16: 587-593.

Bouvier M, et al. “Effects of consumption of a milk fermented by the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on colonic transit time in healthy humans. Bioscience and Microflora, 2001; Vol 20(2): 43-48.

But are the trademarked probiotics that Dannon uses the same? Or different?

And who let them trademark yogurt cultures anyway?

[Amapola]

I think probiotics *are* clinically and scientifically proven - but on livestock, not humans. If you raise ruminants (cows, sheep, goats etc.) you have to keep the stuff around to treat sick animals. Might Dannon be trying to slide by on that little difference? Or do they definitely say it's proven on humans?

[robinson]

If you click the button that says "spoiler" you can see the hidden references.

[casebro]

If you click the button that says "spoiler" you can see the hidden references.

You given a list of study titles. Without comment.

Do 'they' expect us to assume these studies back up Dannon's claims? Do they? To a practical amount, or only a 'statistically significant' amount?

[LostAngeles]

You know, I love Pinkberry.

Because it's tasty, not because of any natural ********. Also, fresh fruit... mmm....

[robinson]

You given a list of study titles. Without comment.

Do 'they' expect us to assume these studies back up Dannon's claims? Do they? To a practical amount, or only a 'statistically significant' amount?

Don't know, don't care. I stated, "Probiotics, is based on extensive scientific work."

So I added a couple of the many studies showing probiotics have positive benefits on our health. Dannon is another story, I don't know if their claims are all correct or not.

I guess a lawsuit will decide that. Lawsuits, the way science should be decided. :)