Is Oikos Pro Strawberry Flavored Yogurt-Cultured Ultra-Filtered Milk Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, looking at the ingredient list of Oikos Pro Strawberry reveals a product that is deeply rooted in dairy science. The first and most prominent ingredient is CULTURED GRADE A ULTRA-FILTERED NON FAT MILK. This is the base of the yogurt. The 'ultra-filtered' aspect simply means the milk has been processed to remove some water and lactose, concentrating the protein and calcium. However, it remains an animal-derived product.

Further down the list, we see CREAM and WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE. Whey is a byproduct of cheese manufacturing; it is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is exclusively derived from milk. The addition of cream increases the fat content and improves the mouthfeel, but again, this is a dairy fat. There is no plant-based substitute used here.

Even the fortification ingredients are animal-derived. The product lists VITAMIN D3. While Vitamin D is essential for bone health, the D3 form (cholecalciferol) is most commonly sourced from lanolin (sheep's wool) or fish oil, whereas Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is the vegan alternative. Finally, the NATURAL FLAVORS are vague, but in a strawberry dairy product, these are almost certainly not vegan-certified, as they often contain dairy derivatives to mimic the creamy profile of the fruit.

Nutritional Value

Nutritionally, Oikos Pro is designed as a high-protein, moderate-calorie snack. A single container (150g) packs a significant 20 grams of protein, which is excellent for muscle recovery or satiety. However, consumers should be aware of the sugar content. While it contains 7 grams of added sugars (mostly from the strawberry flavoring and stevia), the total carbohydrate count is relatively low due to the filtration process that removes much of the milk sugar (lactose).

In terms of fat, it sits in the 'low fat' category with only 2.5 grams of total fat per serving. The calorie count is 140, which is reasonable for a high-protein snack. It is also a good source of calcium (15% DV) and Vitamin D. For those strictly watching their sugar intake while trying to increase protein, this fits the bill, provided you are not avoiding dairy.