Activia
Encyclopedia
Activia is a brand of probiotic
dairy product
s owned by Danone (known as Dannon in the United States
). Activia is marketed as a beneficial health product, with a focus on improved digestion
for both men and women. Activia products contain the probiotic
bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010, but Danone predominantly uses the trade names Bifidus Regularis or Bifidus Actiregularis. Activia is classified as a functional food
designed to address digestive health. Danone claims that the Bifidobacterium animalis helps relieve digestive discomfort and irregularity. According to the website of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), The Dannon Company settled allegations of false advertising in December 2010 without admitting a violation of law by agreeing in a settlement agreement to stop making the claim in advertising that yogurt relieves temporary irregularity or slows intestinal transit unless the claim is not misleading and the ad conveys that three servings of Activia yogurt must be eaten each day to obtain these benefits. The FTC's website also states that Dannon may claim that eating fewer than three servings a day of yogurt provides these benefits only if the company is relying on two well-designed human clinical studies substantiating that the claim is true. The FTC's website states that Dannon has agreed to pay the states $21 million to resolve these investigations.
.
, a dessert variety and a bottled single serve yogurt drink. Recently Parfait Crunch was introduced, a 6oz variety with a granola topper. Packaging options include a 24 oz.
pack that is not available in European markets. In addition to the usual fruit flavors, US markets have key lime
.
, the variety includes semi-solid yogurts in more flavors: mango
, fig
and rhubarb
, along with intensely creamy yogurt and yogurt with fruit layers. The equivalent to the US "light" series is "fat free."
, semi-solid yogurt and yogurt with fruit layers are available. Unique flavours include coconut
. The "light" series is marketed as "0%".
, Bulgaria
and Croatia
, the products include semi-solid yogurts (plain, cereal, strawberry
, peach
and prune
) and yogurt drinks (plain, cereal, strawberry-kiwi
and cherry
-vanilla
).
, blackberry
, strawberry
, peach
, plain cereal, natural, and kiwi are the most common; there are over 56 different flavours.
, both yogurt and yogurt-like drinks are available. In addition to the usual worldwide fruit flavours are some unique varieties such as honey
with carrot
. The "light" line is marketed as "0%".
, the products include yogurt, yogurt-like drinks and kefir
, a drink traditionally popular in CIS
countries. The fibre yogurt series includes three muesli
flavors in addition to the cereal flavor also found in the UK. Drinkable yogurt variations include pineapple
and dried apricot
, among others.
, mango
, dried apricot
, kiwi
, fibre and prune.
federal court on 25 January 2008, argued that Dannon's own studies failed to support its advertised claims. In a statement in response to the lawsuit, Dannon stated that it "strongly disagrees with the allegations in the lawsuit" and that it makes all scientific studies about its products available to the public, following the established method of peer-review and publication.
In 2009, Dannon settled the lawsuit, agreeing to create a $35-million fund to reimburse consumers who bought its Activia and DanActive yogurts; Dannon spokespeople deny the claims of the lawsuit and admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which was agreed to in order to "avoid the distraction and expense of litigation."
Probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
dairy product
Dairy product
Dairy products are generally defined as foods produced from cow's or domestic buffalo's milk. They are usually high-energy-yielding food products. A production plant for such processing is called a dairy or a dairy factory. Raw milk for processing comes mainly from cows, and, to a lesser extent,...
s owned by Danone (known as Dannon in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). Activia is marketed as a beneficial health product, with a focus on improved digestion
Digestion
Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that are more easily absorbed into a blood stream, for instance. Digestion is a form of catabolism: a breakdown of large food molecules to smaller ones....
for both men and women. Activia products contain the probiotic
Probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"...
bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010, but Danone predominantly uses the trade names Bifidus Regularis or Bifidus Actiregularis. Activia is classified as a functional food
Functional food
Functional food is a food where a new ingredient has been added to a food and the new product has a new function ....
designed to address digestive health. Danone claims that the Bifidobacterium animalis helps relieve digestive discomfort and irregularity. According to the website of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), The Dannon Company settled allegations of false advertising in December 2010 without admitting a violation of law by agreeing in a settlement agreement to stop making the claim in advertising that yogurt relieves temporary irregularity or slows intestinal transit unless the claim is not misleading and the ad conveys that three servings of Activia yogurt must be eaten each day to obtain these benefits. The FTC's website also states that Dannon may claim that eating fewer than three servings a day of yogurt provides these benefits only if the company is relying on two well-designed human clinical studies substantiating that the claim is true. The FTC's website states that Dannon has agreed to pay the states $21 million to resolve these investigations.
Variations of products worldwide
Activia products are sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. The product line is diverse and varies by country. Most Activia yogurts contain real fruitFruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
.
North America
In the United States of America, the products include plain and flavored semi-solid yogurt in regular and "light" (fat free). There is also a fiber-enhanced yogurt with added cerealCereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
, a dessert variety and a bottled single serve yogurt drink. Recently Parfait Crunch was introduced, a 6oz variety with a granola topper. Packaging options include a 24 oz.
Ounce
The ounce is a unit of mass with several definitions, the most commonly used of which are equal to approximately 28 grams. The ounce is used in a number of different systems, including various systems of mass that form part of the imperial and United States customary systems...
pack that is not available in European markets. In addition to the usual fruit flavors, US markets have key lime
Key lime
The Key lime is a citrus species with a globose fruit, 2.5–5 cm in diameter , that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially. It is smaller, seedier, has a higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind than that of the Persian lime...
.
United Kingdom
In BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the variety includes semi-solid yogurts in more flavors: mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
, fig
Ficus
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
and rhubarb
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a group of plants that belong to the genus Rheum in the family Polygonaceae. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing from short, thick rhizomes. They have large leaves that are somewhat triangular-shaped with long fleshy petioles...
, along with intensely creamy yogurt and yogurt with fruit layers. The equivalent to the US "light" series is "fat free."
France
In FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, semi-solid yogurt and yogurt with fruit layers are available. Unique flavours include coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
. The "light" series is marketed as "0%".
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia
In RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, the products include semi-solid yogurts (plain, cereal, strawberry
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...
, peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
and prune
Prune
A prune is any of various plum cultivars, mostly Prunus domestica or European Plum, sold as fresh or dried fruit. The dried fruit is also referred to as a dried plum...
) and yogurt drinks (plain, cereal, strawberry-kiwi
Kiwifruit
The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi in many parts of the world, is the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine Actinidia deliciosa and hybrids between this and other species in the genus Actinidia....
and cherry
Cherry
The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium....
-vanilla
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, Flat-leaved Vanilla . The word vanilla derives from the Spanish word "", little pod...
).
Spain
In SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, blackberry
Blackberry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by any of several species in the Rubus genus of the Rosaceae family. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The plants typically have biennial canes and perennial roots. Blackberries and...
, strawberry
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...
, peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
, plain cereal, natural, and kiwi are the most common; there are over 56 different flavours.
Brazil
In BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, both yogurt and yogurt-like drinks are available. In addition to the usual worldwide fruit flavours are some unique varieties such as honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
with carrot
Carrot
The carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in colour, though purple, red, white, and yellow varieties exist. It has a crisp texture when fresh...
. The "light" line is marketed as "0%".
Russia
In RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the products include yogurt, yogurt-like drinks and kefir
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated with shepherds of the North Caucasus region, who discovered that fresh milk carried in leather pouches would occasionally ferment into an effervescent beverage...
, a drink traditionally popular in CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
countries. The fibre yogurt series includes three muesli
Muesli
Muesli is a popular breakfast cereal based on uncooked rolled oats, fruit and nuts. It was developed around 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital...
flavors in addition to the cereal flavor also found in the UK. Drinkable yogurt variations include pineapple
Pineapple
Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
and dried apricot
Apricot
The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.- Description :...
, among others.
South Africa
In the Republic of South Africa, flavours include pearPear
The pear is any of several tree species of genus Pyrus and also the name of the pomaceous fruit of these trees. Several species of pear are valued by humans for their edible fruit, but the fruit of other species is small, hard, and astringent....
, mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
, dried apricot
Apricot
The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.- Description :...
, kiwi
Kiwifruit
The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi in many parts of the world, is the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine Actinidia deliciosa and hybrids between this and other species in the genus Actinidia....
, fibre and prune.
South Korea
In the Republic of Korea, semi-solid yogurts are available in plain, strawberry, peach, prune, fat-free aloe, and sugar-free plain, while yogurts are available in plain, apple, grape, prune, fat-free blueberry and fat-free plain.Criticism
A class action lawsuit filed in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
federal court on 25 January 2008, argued that Dannon's own studies failed to support its advertised claims. In a statement in response to the lawsuit, Dannon stated that it "strongly disagrees with the allegations in the lawsuit" and that it makes all scientific studies about its products available to the public, following the established method of peer-review and publication.
In 2009, Dannon settled the lawsuit, agreeing to create a $35-million fund to reimburse consumers who bought its Activia and DanActive yogurts; Dannon spokespeople deny the claims of the lawsuit and admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which was agreed to in order to "avoid the distraction and expense of litigation."
External links
- whatisbifidusregularis.org/ - An analysis of the terms Bifidus Actiregularis, Bifidus Regularis, Bifidus Digestivum, L. Casei Immunitass and their variants, as well as the marketing strategy, and information about the potential health benefits of live yogurts.
- Danone - The manufacturers of Activia
- Dannon, as Danone is known in the U.S.
- http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/play.shtml?mea=239693 - Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
skit regarding Activia's laxative effects.