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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Another unclear food label - live cultures in yoghurt.

203 replies

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 06:50

I have just discovered the bit on the yoghurt pot I was eating from that says "live cultures" and it is tiny.

Ok, it IS there, but it is very small, and I am dyslexic. I did check in the shop before picking it up, but I didn't see it.

I now have to contact my cancer nurse arrange a telephone conversation. Not that there is anything she can do now, I have eaten it.

I am going to contact the manufacturer and complain. Particularly on the grounds that a lot of people undergoing chemo are going to have temporary eyesight problems. But obviously, this is dangerous to other people too, not just cancer patients.

I think food with a content that poses a significant danger to a significant proportion of the population should have that warning written in a standard colour, so it is easy to skim the package standing in the super market isle, and find that warning.

There should be a list of ingredients that have to be printed in bright orange, or something, so that if you are scanning for a particular ingredient, and you don't see any bright orange, you know it isn't there.

Of course people who are severely colour blind might have to get someone else to scan for them, but that would solve this issue for most people most of the time, wouldn't it?

OP posts:
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AGlinnerOfHope · 27/04/2024 07:01

I was unaware live cultures cause issues for people with cancer. I thought they were good for everyone, and actually am frustrated at products that should have them but don’t.

I would always expect yogurt to be live, unless it’s longlife

underscorer · 27/04/2024 07:03

It said it on the label.

MultiplaLight · 27/04/2024 07:04

I too thought all yoghurt was live. Is it worth avoiding yoghurt for now?

Icanseethebeach · 27/04/2024 07:04

MultiplaLight · 27/04/2024 07:04

I too thought all yoghurt was live. Is it worth avoiding yoghurt for now?

Me too.

BeachBeerBbq · 27/04/2024 07:06

All yogurts are live? Only way to change that is heat treatment. Freezing might do it, but lots of the good bacteria can actually survive freeze

Ineffable23 · 27/04/2024 07:06

It honestly hadn't occurred to me it would be possible to get yoghurt without live cultures in it. I sort of thought that was how yoghurt was defined.

Sorry to hear you are going to have difficulties associated with it though.

Kalevala · 27/04/2024 07:07

Yoghurt is made from fermenting milk with bacteria, otherwise it isn't yoghurt.

SudExpress · 27/04/2024 07:08

It was on the label? Had it been a strong allergen producing ingredient there would have been an actual "warning: contains" labelling. By law.

Probiotics and some yoghurts might make some chemo patients sick/get nauseous due to general immune system weakness but for most they're a benefit and will be actively (no pun intended) advised.
Afaik live yoghurt isn't a contraindication for cancer patients. Just that it might make some people feel sick.

PrincessTeaSet · 27/04/2024 07:12

Live yogurt isn't dangerous though is it? Are you getting confused with soft cheese?

VestibuleVirgin · 27/04/2024 07:14

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 06:50

I have just discovered the bit on the yoghurt pot I was eating from that says "live cultures" and it is tiny.

Ok, it IS there, but it is very small, and I am dyslexic. I did check in the shop before picking it up, but I didn't see it.

I now have to contact my cancer nurse arrange a telephone conversation. Not that there is anything she can do now, I have eaten it.

I am going to contact the manufacturer and complain. Particularly on the grounds that a lot of people undergoing chemo are going to have temporary eyesight problems. But obviously, this is dangerous to other people too, not just cancer patients.

I think food with a content that poses a significant danger to a significant proportion of the population should have that warning written in a standard colour, so it is easy to skim the package standing in the super market isle, and find that warning.

There should be a list of ingredients that have to be printed in bright orange, or something, so that if you are scanning for a particular ingredient, and you don't see any bright orange, you know it isn't there.

Of course people who are severely colour blind might have to get someone else to scan for them, but that would solve this issue for most people most of the time, wouldn't it?

While this is important to you, the percentage of people who potentally be affected by live cultures in yoghurt is miniscule. Indeed, the jury is out as to whether it is an issue or not; guidance says avoid because the added bugs are not 'medical grade' (quality cannot be guarenteed), but you are not going to die from one yoghurt.
No-one mentioned this during my treatment, so it can hardly be a life-threatening issue. Then again, perhaps given the cuts to the NHS, it could be an option...😀

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:15

Icanseethebeach · 27/04/2024 07:06

This NHS leaflet suggests it’s fine to eat live yoghurt on chemo

https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Food-safety-for-people-having-chemotherapy.pdf

well, it depends on many things, in general it is best avoided. Not just for people with cancer, but for many other groups too, including young children.

I don't think many yoghurts have live cultures, I know in MandS they all do, but apart from that, most are made safe before sale

The thing is, I know it wont affect everyone, because if your have a normal functioning digestive system, then anything live will be killed in your stomach, but with different conditions, and medicines, etc, that could change.

OP posts:
awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:16

Kalevala · 27/04/2024 07:07

Yoghurt is made from fermenting milk with bacteria, otherwise it isn't yoghurt.

well, bread is made by fermenting yeast! But it doesn't contain live fungus! or alcohol! in the finished product.

OP posts:
DeleteIfNotAloud · 27/04/2024 07:17

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:15

well, it depends on many things, in general it is best avoided. Not just for people with cancer, but for many other groups too, including young children.

I don't think many yoghurts have live cultures, I know in MandS they all do, but apart from that, most are made safe before sale

The thing is, I know it wont affect everyone, because if your have a normal functioning digestive system, then anything live will be killed in your stomach, but with different conditions, and medicines, etc, that could change.

Literally all yoghurt is made with live cultures. That is just what yoghurt is!

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:17

SudExpress · 27/04/2024 07:08

It was on the label? Had it been a strong allergen producing ingredient there would have been an actual "warning: contains" labelling. By law.

Probiotics and some yoghurts might make some chemo patients sick/get nauseous due to general immune system weakness but for most they're a benefit and will be actively (no pun intended) advised.
Afaik live yoghurt isn't a contraindication for cancer patients. Just that it might make some people feel sick.

Edited

well no, it is not actively advised, at all, it is just considered safe as the stomach acid kills it anyway,

It isn't an allergen, it is a product containing live bacteria

OP posts:
awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:18

VestibuleVirgin · 27/04/2024 07:14

While this is important to you, the percentage of people who potentally be affected by live cultures in yoghurt is miniscule. Indeed, the jury is out as to whether it is an issue or not; guidance says avoid because the added bugs are not 'medical grade' (quality cannot be guarenteed), but you are not going to die from one yoghurt.
No-one mentioned this during my treatment, so it can hardly be a life-threatening issue. Then again, perhaps given the cuts to the NHS, it could be an option...😀

It isn't miniscule at all! all young children, for example- hardly a "miniscule" group!

OP posts:
LoveWine123 · 27/04/2024 07:18

Yoghurt by definition contains live cultures. You can’t have yoghurt without them.

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:19

DeleteIfNotAloud · 27/04/2024 07:17

Literally all yoghurt is made with live cultures. That is just what yoghurt is!

doesn't mean it should be live in the finished product, like bread is made from yeast, but it isn't live in the finished product!

OP posts:
TTPD · 27/04/2024 07:19

including young children.

The NHS says yoghurt is fine from 6 months and doesn't mention anything about how it shouldn't be live.

DeleteIfNotAloud · 27/04/2024 07:20

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:18

It isn't miniscule at all! all young children, for example- hardly a "miniscule" group!

Young children are fine to eat yoghurt! Where are you getting the idea that they can't?

BarrelOfOtters · 27/04/2024 07:20

Yoghurt is encouraged as a weaning food…I think you are getting muddled up.

RecruitmentGuru · 27/04/2024 07:21

Hi OP in my culture we make our own yogurt with live culture, we all know that all yogurt is produced like this.

My mum was on chemo and ate our homemade yogurt. She was absolutely fine with it. I hope you don’t get poorly. Maybe just drop them a note at the hospital and I’m sure they’ll reassure you. Then I think just drop it and focus your mind elsewhere.

TookTheBook · 27/04/2024 07:21

Can you share the NHS guidance saying all young children should avoid live yogurt OP?

I also think you're getting it muddled with something else eg pasteurised Vs non pasteurised cheeses.

But of course you should speak to your nurse as you're planning to. I hope they can reassure you.

PrincessTeaSet · 27/04/2024 07:21

awayandaway · 27/04/2024 07:18

It isn't miniscule at all! all young children, for example- hardly a "miniscule" group!

This isn't true - young children can eat any type of yogurt from weaning age. The only advice out there is avoid ones with added sugar

TTPD · 27/04/2024 07:21

It isn't an allergen, it is a product containing live bacteria

It's listed in the ingredients isn't it? Couldn't you check there?

I don't know why anything needs to be in an orange box. Allergens aren't and that works just fine.

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