Is Lower Sugar Vanilla Skyr Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product like Lower Sugar Vanilla Skyr is kosher, we look at the source of every additive. The primary ingredient, Cultured Pasteurized Skim Milk, is inherently kosher as long as the equipment is cleaned properly and no non-kosher cultures are used. The live active cultures listed, such as S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus, are bacteria grown on dairy-free media, making them acceptable.

Ingredients like Milk Protein Concentrate and Pasteurized Cream are dairy (Chalav Yisrael concerns aside for general certification), but they do not introduce non-kosher meat mixing issues. The sweeteners and texturizers are the next area of scrutiny. Native Corn Starch and Fruit Pectin are plant-derived and naturally kosher. Stevia Reb M is a high-purity extract from the stevia leaf, which is a plant, making it permissible. Finally, Natural Flavor is a common red flag, but in the context of a vanilla dairy product, this is almost exclusively derived from vanilla beans or fermentation products, not meat-based sources.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Lower Sugar Vanilla Skyr is designed to be a high-protein, low-carb alternative to traditional yogurts. The use of Stevia Reb M and Fruit Pectin allows the manufacturer to significantly reduce added sugars while maintaining a creamy texture. A typical serving contains a substantial amount of protein derived from the Milk Protein Concentrate and skim milk, which aids in satiety. Because it uses Native Corn Starch rather than wheat flour, it is also low in simple carbohydrates, making it suitable for many weight management plans.