Course:FNH200/Assignments/2025/OIKOS Zero Fat Greet Yogurt - Regular Sugar vs Zero Sugar
Introduction
Greek yogurt is a popular high-protein dairy product enjoyed by many as part of a balanced diet. Oikos, a well-known Greek yogurt brand in Canada, offers a range of products tailored to different dietary preferences. The brand emphasizes an authentic Greek yogurt experience by removing whey during manufacturing, resulting in its famously thick and creamy texture [1].
In this project, we compare two of their offerings: the original fat-free Greek yogurt (with regular sugar) and the fat-free, zero-sugar version. While both aim to deliver the rich taste and creamy consistency, they differ in sweetener content and calorie profile. The first product contains added cane sugar and fruit for flavour, while the second uses sweetening agents like stevia extract [2]. The goal of this comparison is to analyze the ingredient lists and nutritional labels of both products to identify the functional roles of sugar substitutes and other additives. By examining these similar yet distinct products, this comparison will highlight how food manufacturers adapt recipes to meet consumer demands for reduced-sugar options without compromising taste or texture.
Post pictures:
Ingredient lists:
1. Ingredients List
| OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Regular Sugar | OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Zero Sugar |
|---|---|
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2. Fat substitutes, sugar substitutes, and/or additives used
| OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Regular Sugar | OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Zero Sugar | |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Substitutes | None | None |
| Sugar Substitutes | None | Stevia extract |
| Additives |
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|
3. Roles
Sugar Substitutes
- Stevia extract - Stevia extract is a non-nutritive sweetener that has a strong sweet flavour[3]. In the zero sugar greek yogurt, it gives the product the sweet flavour typically found in yogurt products without adding carbohydrates.
Additives
- Pectin - Pectin contributes to the yogurt's rich and creamy mouthfeel by forming gel-like structures, which increases yogurt viscosity[4].
- Corn starch - Corn starch acts as a stabilizer for yogurt to the separation of liquid whey and the formation of an undesirable layer on top of the yogurt[5].
- Locust bean gum - Locust bean gum acts as both a stabilizer and thickening agent[6][5]. Similar to corn starch, it can prevent whey separation[5]. Furthermore, the gum's polysaccharides can thicken the yogurt and provide a creamy and smooth mouthfeel[6], which is especially important for fat free greek yogurt.
- Black carrot juice concentrate is a natural colourant used for food preparation[7]. Functionally, it offers the fat free yogurt a more appealing appearance.
- Carrot juice concentrate is primarily used as a natural colourant, giving the yogurt a visually appealing hue[8]. It helps compensate for the duller appearance of fat-free yogurt, making it look more vibrant and appetizing
- Lemon juice concentrate serves two functional purposes[9]: (1) it acts as a natural acidifier, helping to adjust the pH of the yogurt to maintain stability and extend shelf life, and (2) it provides a subtle tartness that can enhance the freshness of the yogurt's flavour profile. Its use is especially relevant in fat-free yogurt to boost flavour without added sugars or artificial ingredients.
- Natural flavours are added to enhance or restore the sensory profile of yogurt[10], especially in fat-free products where the absence of fat can reduce flavour intensity
4.Compare and contrast the lists of the two products and explain differences
Similarities: Yogurt, water, corn starch, natural flavor, carrot juice, lemon juice.
Differences:
| OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Regular Sugar | OIKOS Fat Free Greek Yogurt with Zero Sugar | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Cane sugar is used as sweetener, which is just sucrose. | Stevia extract is used as sweetener, allowing the product to be advertised as "no sugar added", since it replaces sucrose. |
| Fruits | Strawberry and raspberry is added. | No real fruits are added, staying consistent with the zero sugar added label. |
| Stabilizers | Uses locust bean gum for creamy textures and to stabilize added fruits. | Uses pectin to thicken product and provide a gel like structure, especially in low sugar environments. |
| Other | Black carrot juice concentrate and sea salt are used here. These mainly contribute to flavoring and appearance. |
Labels:
| Label Information: | OÎKOS Greek Yogurt With Added Sugar: | OÎKOS Greek Yogurt With No Added Sugar: |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual Labelling | All label information is found in both English and French | All label information is found in both English and French |
| Common Name | Greek Yogurt | Sugar-free Greek Yogurt |
| Country of Origin | Canada | Canada |
| Date Marking and Storage Instructions | A best before date is written on the container, this tells you the time period in which the product has the best nutritional quality when stored properly. The label states to 'keep refrigerated', which is the storage instructions. | A best before date is written on the container, this tells you the time period in which the product has the best nutritional quality when stored properly. The label states to 'keep refrigerated', which is the storage instructions. |
| Identity and Principle Place of Business | Danone Inc, Boucherville, Quebec | Danone Inc, Boucherville, Quebec |
| Irradiated food | This product is not considered as in irradiated food and therefore, this does not have to be listed on the label. | This product is not considered as in irradiated food and therefore, this does not have to be listed on the label. |
| Legibility and Location | Information on the label must be clearly and prominently shown and readily discernible. On this specific product label, all information is clearly shown in a font and colour that is distinguishable from the background colour of the container. | Information on the label must be clearly and prominently shown and readily discernible. On this specific product label, all information is clearly shown in a font and colour that is distinguishable from the background colour of the container. |
| List of Ingredients | A list of ingredients is provided on the label. | A list of ingredients is provided on the label. |
| Nutrition Facts Label | This label shows the calories, the amount of fat, saturated and trans fats, and all other nutrients such calcium and any sort of vitamins. On this specific product, the nutrition facts label is clearly shown on the container in the form of a graph and it clearly states the amount of calories per serving size (130), and the nutrients within the serving size. | This label shows the calories, the amount of fat, saturated and trans fats, and all other nutrients such calcium and any sort of vitamins. On this specific product, the nutrition facts label is clearly shown on the container in the form of a graph and it clearly states the amount of calories per serving size (100), and the nutrients within the serving size. |
| Net Quantity of Food | The net quantity of food is listed on the front of the container. The quantity of this product is 650 grams. | The net quantity of food is listed on the front of the container. The quantity of this product is 650 grams. |
| Sweeteners | All sweeteners are listed on the ingredients list. | All sweeteners are listed on the ingredients list. Stevia extract is a sweetener in this product. |
| Other Mandatory Information | Other mandatory information includes % milk fat. In this product it is listed that there is 0% milk fat. | Other mandatory information includes % milk fat. In this product it is listed that there is 0% milk fat. |
| Nutrient Content Claims and Diet-Related Health Claims | "High Protein" | "18g Protein", "No added sugars", "Contains no fat and no artificial flavours" |
All of the information provided on the label of both OÎKOS Greek Yogurt and OÎKOS Greek Yogurt with No Added Sugars comply with the regulatory requirements that is mandatory to follow in Canada.
References
Please use the Wikipedia reference style. Provide a citation for every sentence, statement, thought, or bit of data not your own, giving the author, year, AND page.
Note: Before writing your wiki article on the UBC Wiki, it may be helpful to review the tips in Wikipedia: Writing better articles.[11]
- ↑ Oikos (July 20, 2025). "Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Is Oikos Triple Zero Healthy? Dietitian Review". June 3, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
|first=missing|last=(help) - ↑ Mitchell, Kristen (October 19, 2023). "What is Stevia?". WebMd. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Pectin in Yogurt: A Comprehensive Review". Gino Gums. August 9, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cooking with yogurt". Ricardo. July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bjarnadottir, Adda (October 25, 2019). "What Is Locust Bean Gum, and Is It Vegan?". Healthline. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ Bhavesh Baria, Ashish Kumar Singh, Narender Raju Panjagari, Sumit Arora, P S Minz (2020 Oct 23). "Colouring properties and stability of black carrot anthocyanins in yoghurt". J Food Sci Technol. 58(10): 3953–3962. Check date values in:
|date=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Carrot Juice". Carrot juice concentrate, rich in natural pigments like carotenoids, is commonly used to impart appealing color in foods. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Lemon Juice". Lemon juice concentrate introduces citric acid and other organic acids, which help lower pH. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Natural Flavour". Natural flavors enhance or restore a product’s sensory profile without adding calories. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Writing better articles. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Writing_better_articles [Accessed 18 Jan. 2018].
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