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Organic Yogurt FAQ

How much calcium is in a serving of Stonyfield organic yogurt?
Is Stonyfield organic yogurt a source of protein?
I’m a vegetarian. Can yogurt be a source of protein for me?
I’m lactose intolerant? I guess I can’t eat Stonyfield probiotic organic yogurt?
Why is eating yogurt recommended when taking antibiotics?
When can I begin giving my child yogurt?
Why do I sometimes see liquid on the top of my yogurt?
Is it safe to eat Stonyfield organic yogurt after the “best before” date?
How long will the live active cultures stay alive once the container is opened?
Does freezing yogurt destroy or alter the effectiveness of the live cultures?

Organic Living FAQ

What’s the difference between traditional yogurt and organic yogurt?
Is organic food better for my family and me?
Why do organic products cost more?
If Stonyfield cares about the environment, why do you package your yogurt in plastic containers?
How is organic agriculture transforming farming?

How much calcium is in a serving of Stonyfield organic yogurt?

One 100-gram serving of Stonyfield yogurt provides 10% of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of calcium for adults and children aged two or more. Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones.

Is Stonyfield organic yogurt a source of protein?

Yes! Enjoying Stonyfield yogurt is a great way to add protein of high biological value, meaning it is growth supporting and easily digestible. There are 5 grams of protein in each 100-gram serving of Stonyfield organic yogurt – more than in most other yogurts on the market. The average adult needs 50 to 60 grams of protein a day, depending on their weight. Protein is an important part of a well-balanced diet because it performs many essential functions for the body, such as supplying energy and building and repairing tissues.

I’m a vegetarian. Can yogurt be a source of protein for me?

Stonyfield organic yogurt is a source of high-biological-value protein, which makes it a great protein source for lacto-vegetarians. See our yogurt recipes for inspiration.

I’m lactose intolerant? I guess I can’t eat Stonyfield probiotic organic yogurt?

Lactose intolerance is a very common condition that occurs when lactose (milk sugar) is not digested properly because of an enzyme deficiency. Yogurt, with its complement of lactic acid bacteria in a live, active culture, aids in lactose digestion and is well tolerated even by most lactose-intolerant individuals. It’s best to discuss this issue with your doctor.

Why is eating yogurt recommended when taking antibiotics?

Antibiotics can destroy both the good and bad microorganisms in the body, including beneficial bacteria that naturally reside in the gastrointestinal tract. So eating yogurt with live, active cultures helps to re-establish a healthy intestinal balance by increasing the microorganisms that are naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract.

When can I begin giving my child yogurt?

Pediatricians often recommend that yogurt be introduced to children at ages varying from 9-12 months. Since every child is different, we recommend that you check with your pediatrician before introducing yogurt into your child's diet. When your child is ready for yogurt, consider Stonyfield’s Yobaby. It's made from the whole milk pediatricians recommend, plus a unique blend of five live active cultures. It's available in eight-packs with convenient 100-gram cups in Banana, Apple Pear, Vanilla and Apricot.

Why do I sometimes see liquid on the top of my yogurt?

This liquid, called whey, is a natural component in cultured yogurt, and it’s quite normal to see a bit of it on top of your yogurt. It occurs whenever there has been any type of pressure on the curd, or from temperature change. Whey contains many of the most important vitamins and nutrients in yogurt. Simply stir it back in to take advantage of its nutritional benefits.

Is it safe to eat Stonyfield organic yogurt after the “best before” date?

The date on the lid is a suggested sell-by date. It is not the date that the yogurt will “expire” or “go bad.” Up until this date, we feel that our yogurt will look and taste its best. It can be perfectly okay to eat yogurt after the sell-by date. Just use your judgment. If the yogurt looks, smells, and tastes good, and there are no visible signs of mold, it's okay to eat it.

How long will the live active cultures stay alive once the container is opened?

The cultures will stay alive as long as the product is still good and kept sealed and refrigerated.

Does freezing yogurt destroy or alter the effectiveness of the live cultures?

A cup of Stonyfield organic yogurt that has been frozen and thawed will have a different look and texture than fresh yogurt. The cultures become dormant when frozen, but when thawed – either in the refrigerator or by your body heat when ingested – they become live and active once again. A few cultures do die, but there are so many billions in our products, that the number of cultures that do die is truly insignificant. See our recipes for frozen yogurt for great ways to enjoy Stonyfield probiotic organic yogurt as a refreshing treat.

What’s the difference between traditional yogurt and organic yogurt?

Organic yogurt is made with organic ingredients, including milk, fruit and sugar. Organic regulations also mandate specific humane treatment of animals, including access to fresh air and pasture.

Is organic food better for my family and me?

Well-balanced soils grow strong, healthy plants – plants which many believe taste better and contain more nutrients. And there’s no doubt about it: if you want to avoid pesticides in the foods you choose for you and your family, you’ll choose organic.

Why do organic products cost more?

Right now, organic products do tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts. But it’s changing! As production capacity and demand for organic products increase, improved production efficiencies result in lower prices. In addition, many involved with organic products are striving for a sustainable agricultural system – one that is ecologically sound as well as economically viable. Paying farmers a fair price for their products is an important principle for many involved in organic agriculture. When you enjoy Stonyfield probiotic organic yogurt, you’re demonstrating that you agree with Stonyfield’s philosophy: to serve as a model showing that environmentally and socially responsible businesses can also be profitable. Doesn’t that make you feel good?

If Stonyfield cares about the environment, why do you package your yogurt in plastic containers?

We are keenly aware that through our packaging we have an enormous impact on the environment. Our packaging choices are extremely important to us, as we know they are to you. Over the years, Stonyfield has devoted significant resources to identify ways to reduce the environmental burden of our packaging. In the mid-'80s when we began examining the environmental aspects of our packaging, we assumed that the most important characteristic was its recyclability. When we set out to find the most recyclable cup available, we discovered that recyclability is just one of the many factors that must be considered in addressing the total impact of our packaging on the environment.

In recent years, an effective tool has emerged for measuring the total environmental impact of a product. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the process of determining the environmental impact of a product from its manufacture and use, through to its reuse, recycling and/or disposal, or from "cradle to grave." Several LCA studies have aided manufacturers in their decision-making process. One of the earliest of these in-depth studies was undertaken by the Boston-based Tellus Institute. The study compared a variety of packaging options including plastics, aseptic and poly-coated paper (such as milk cartons), metals and glass. The findings were surprising, indicating that less than 5% of the total environmental cost of packaging is in the disposal. Over 95% of the environmental cost is in the production of the package – the energy used and toxins created in the manufacturing process. Focusing efforts predominantly on the "end use," such as recycling or disposal, addresses only a fraction of the overall impact of the container. It is more accurate to look at the environmental impact of the container over its entire life cycle. The Tellus Institute study concluded that with the exception of PVC plastic (# 3) which has significantly higher environmental impact, "...the lightest-weight package, per unit of delivered end product, is generally the lowest-impact product."

The concept of source reduction – reducing the amount of material in a product – has been overshadowed by the tremendous enthusiasm to recycle. Recycling is very important, but it can be more environmentally advantageous to reduce the amount of material generated in the first place. The solid waste hierarchy teaches us to first reduce, then reuse, and finally recycle.

After examining many options – including glass, poly-coated paper, and plastic – we chose a lightweight plastic. Glass, which is widely recycled and made from recycled material, was rejected as the environmental costs of transporting the heavy material outweigh the benefits. The energy (fossil fuels) used over the entire life of the glass package exceeds the energy that goes into the manufacture and transport of a plastic container.

A polypropylene container is by no means our vision of the ideal packaging. There are several very promising materials on the horizon. We are working with a supplier of a plastic made from carbohydrates, such as corn and beets. In the not-too-distant future, your yogurt cup could look and feel like the plastic cup of today, but be made from excess agricultural materials such as cornhusks or potato skins.

We are actively working toward the day when we can get our product and packaging to you in ways which, through the manufacture, transportation, use and recycling back into our resource base, will not create waste that pollutes our waters, emits greenhouse and ozone-damaging gases, and depletes our natural resources. Our ideal packaging may mean that when you're finished eating your yogurt, you'll consume the delicious (and nutritious) container, or toss it onto your compost pile to return it to its carbon roots.

So, we have extensively studied the environmental burden due to our packaging and are working hard to reduce it. We believe that given current technologies, we are using the lightest-weight, most environmentally sound packaging available today to protect the quality and integrity of our products. We will continue to research and develop new packaging that uses fewer materials, is more renewable resource-based, and is made with less toxic and environmentally-unfriendly processes and materials.

Right now, we’re a major supporter of a programme that helps make the very best – and very creative – use of our packaging after use. Through a partnership with TerraCycle (http://www.terracycle.ca), the pioneering upcycling company, Stonyfield has created the Yogurt Cup Brigade™, Through this innovative program, $.02 is contributed to a school or non-profit organization for every used yogurt cup a participant collects.

The Stonyfield Yogurt Brigade™ benefits communities in two ways: as a waste reduction program, and as a fund-raising opportunity for groups in dire need of additional funding. Schools and non-profits are often the hardest hit during economic downturns and need every dollar they can raise. The positive impact does not end there, as kids and adults will be informed and then inspired to get involved in cleaning up their local communities and reducing landfill proliferation.

How is organic agriculture transforming farming?

Organic farming practices help protect farm workers and their families from the undesirable effects of exposure to pesticides and chemicals found in traditional fertilizers. Organic practices help maintain and increase biodiversity and promote the humane treatment of animals. It’s also an investment in the future. Nurturing the soil and keeping toxins out of our water will help future generations toward a sustainable, healthy life.