This Popular Brand of Yogurt Is Loaded With Hidden Additives
Dannon, one of America’s most trusted yogurt brands, has come under fire for loading its products with unexpected—and often unappetizing—additives, including insect-based dyes, artificial sweeteners, and thickeners masked by misleading marketing.
While yogurt is widely perceived as a healthy snack, an investigation into ingredient labels and industry practices reveals a stark contrast between marketing claims and reality. Here’s what’s lurking in your favorite cup.
The Hidden Additives in Your Yogurt
Bug-Based Dye: A Not-So-Natural Color
Dannon’s strawberry, cherry, and raspberry yogurts owe their vibrant pink hues to carmine, a red dye made from crushed cochineal insects. Approximately 40,000 bugs are required to produce one pound of this dye, which has been linked to allergic reactions in some consumers. Critics argue the practice deceives shoppers who assume fruit provides the color, not insects.
Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Overload
Many low-calorie yogurts, including Dannon’s Light & Fit line, replace sugar with sucralose (Splenda), a synthetic sweetener tied to digestive issues and metabolic disruptions. Meanwhile, flavored varieties often contain up to 25 grams of sugar per serving—equivalent to six teaspoons—disguised under terms like “evaporated cane juice.”
Thickeners and Fillers: The Imitation Game
To mimic the creamy texture of traditional Greek yogurt, brands like Yoplait and Dannon add gelatin, locust bean gum, and milk protein concentrates (MPCs). These additives bypass the time-intensive straining process used in authentic Greek yogurt production. MPCs, often imported and unregulated, raise concerns about quality and sourcing.
Misleading Labels and Marketing Tactics
A 2024 report by The Cornucopia Institute accused major brands of “turning health food into junk” by using terms like “natural flavors” to mask up to 100 hidden ingredients. For example:
- Yoplait Greek Yogurt lists milk protein concentrate and pectin—thickeners absent in real Greek yogurt.
- Chobani’s fruit-flavored varieties contain locust bean gum despite claims of “no thickeners.”
How to Choose a Healthier Yogurt
| What to Avoid | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Artificial dyes (e.g., carmine) | Plain Greek yogurt |
| High-fructose corn syrup | Short ingredient lists |
| “Natural flavors” | Organic certifications |
| Sucralose or aspartame | Unsweetened varieties + fresh fruit |
Top Clean Picks:
- Fage Total Greek Yogurt: Contains only milk and live cultures.
- Wallaby Organic Greek Yogurt: No thickeners or artificial additives.
- Co Yo Coconut Milk Yogurt: Dairy-free, vegan, and free from preservatives.
The yogurt aisle is fraught with pitfalls, but informed choices can help consumers avoid hidden additives. Opt for plain, organic varieties and sweeten them naturally—your body (and taste buds) will thank you.
