Codex Standard 243-2003 1

CODEX STANDARD FOR FERMENTED MILKS

CODEX STAN 243-2003

1. SCOPE
This standard applies to fermented milks, that is Fermented Milk including, Heat Treated Fermented
Milks, Concentrated Fermented Milks and composite milk products based on these products, for direct
consumption or further processing in conformity with the definitions in Section 2 of this Standard.

2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 FERMENTED MILK
Fermented Milk is a milk product obtained by fermentation of milk, which milk may have been
manufactured from products obtained from milk with or without compositional modification as limited
by the provision in Section 3.3, by the action of suitable microorganisms and resulting in reduction of
pH with or without coagulation (iso-electric precipitation). These starter microorganisms shall be
viable, active and abundant in the product to the date of minimum durability. If the product is heat-
treated after fermentation the requirement for viable microorganisms does not apply.
Certain Fermented Milks are characterized by specific starter culture(s) used for fermentation as
follows:
Yoghurt: Symbiotic cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus
delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus.
Alternate Culture Yoghurt: Cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and any Lactobacillus species.
Acidophilus Milk: Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Kefir: Starter culture prepared from kefir grains, Lactobacillus kefiri, species of
the genera Leuconostoc, Lactococcus and Acetobacter growing in a
strong specific relationship.
Kefir grains constitute both lactose fermenting yeasts (Kluyveromyces
marxianus) and non-lactose-fermenting yeasts (Saccharomyces
unisporus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces exiguus).
Kumys: Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Kluyveromyces
marxianus.

Other microorganisms than those constituting the specific starter culture(s) specified above may be
added.
2.2 CONCENTRATED FERMENTED MILK
Concentrated Fermented Milk is a Fermented Milk the protein of which has been increased prior to
or after fermentation to minimum 5.6%. Concentrated Fermented Milks includes traditional products
such as Stragisto (strained yoghurt), Labneh, Ymer and Ylette.
2.3 FLAVOURED FERMENTED MILKS
Flavoured Fermented Milks are composite milk products, as defined in Section 2.3 of the General
Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms (CODEX STAN 206-1999) which contain a maximum of 50%
(m/m) of non-dairy ingredients (such as nutritive and non nutritive sweeteners, fruits and vegetables as
well as juices, purees, pulps, preparations and preserves derived therefrom, cereals, honey, chocolate,
nuts, coffee, spices and other harmless natural flavouring foods) and/or flavours. The non-dairy
ingredients can be mixed in prior to/or after fermentation.

Adopted in 2003. Revision 2008, 2010.

 Codex Standard 243-2003 2

2.4 DRINKS BASED ON FERMENTED MILK

Drinks based on fermented milk are composite milk products, as defined in Section 2.3 of the
General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms (CODEX STAN 206-1999), obtained by mixing
Fermented Milk as described in Section 2.1 with potable water with or without the addition of other
ingredients such as whey, other non-dairy ingredients, and flavourings. Drinks Based on Fermented
Milk contain a minimum of 40% (m/m) fermented milk.
Other microorganisms than those constituting the specific starter cultures may be added.

3. ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS

3.1 RAW MATERIALS
ƒ Milk and/or products obtained from milk.
ƒ Potable water for the use in reconstitution or recombination.
3.2 PERMITTED INGREDIENTS
ƒ Starter cultures of harmless microorganisms including those specified in Section 2;
ƒ Other suitable and harmless microorganisms (in products covered by Section 2.4);
ƒ Sodium chloride;
ƒ Non-dairy ingredients as listed in Section 2.3 (Flavoured Fermented Milks);
ƒ Potable water (in products covered by Section 2.4);
ƒ Milk and milk products (in products covered by Section 2.4).
ƒ Gelatine and starch in:
- fermented milks heat-treated after fermentation;
- flavoured fermented milk;
- drinks based on fermented milk; and
- plain fermented milks if permitted by national legislation in the country of sale to the
final consumer;
provided they are added only in amounts functionally necessary as governed by Good
Manufacturing Practice, taking into account any use of the stabilizers/thickeners listed in section
4. These substances may be added either before or after adding the non-dairy ingredients.

3.3 COMPOSITION
Yoghurt, Alternate Culture
Fermented
Yoghurt and Kefir Kumys
Milk
Acidophilus milk
Milk protein (a) (% m/m) min. 2.7% min. 2.7% min. 2.7%
Milk fat (% m/m) less than 10% less than 15% less than 10% less than 10%
Titrable acidity, expressed as %
min. 0.3% min. 0.6% min. 0.6% min. 0.7%
lactic acid (% m/m)
Ethanol (% vol./w) min. 0.5%
Sum of microorganisms constituting
the starter culture defined in section min. 107 min. 107 min. 107 min. 107
2.1 (cfu/g, in total)
Labelled microorganisms (b) (cfu/g,
min. 106 min. 106
total)
Yeasts (cfu/g) min. 104 min. 104
(a)
Protein content is 6.38 multiplied by the total Kjeldahl nitrogen determined.
Codex Standard 243-2003 3

(b)
Applies where a content claim is made in the labelling that refers to the presence of a specific
microorganism (other than those specified in section 2.1 for the product concerned) that has been added
as a supplement to the specific starter culture.

In Flavoured Fermented Milks and Drinks based on Fermented Milk the above criteria apply to the
fermented milk part. The microbiological criteria (based on the proportion of fermented milk product)
are valid up to the date of minimum durability. This requirement does not apply to products heat-
treated after fermentation.
Compliance with the microbiological criteria specified above is to be verified through analytical
testing of the product through to “the date of minimum durability” after the product has been stored
under the storage conditions specified in the labeling.
3.4 ESSENTIAL MANUFACTURING CHARACTERISTICS
Whey removal after fermentation is not permitted in the manufacture of fermented milks, except for
Concentrated Fermented Milk (Section 2.2).

4 FOOD ADDITIVES
Only those additives classes indicated in the table below may be used for the product categories
specified. Within each additive class, and where permitted according to the table, only those individual
additives listed may be used and only within the limits specified.
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Preamble to the General Standard for Food Additives (CODEX
STAN 192-1995), additional additives may be present in the flavoured fermented milks and drinks
based on fermented milk as a result of carry-over from non-dairy ingredients.
Fermented Milks and Drinks based Fermented Milks Heat Treated After
on Fermented Milk Fermentation and Drinks based on
Fermented Milk Heat Treated After
Fermentation
Additive class Plain Flavoured Plain Flavoured
Acidity regulators - X X X
2 2 2
Carbonating agents X X X X2
Colours - X - X
Emulsifiers - X - X
Flavour enhancers - X - X
Packaging gases - X X X
Preservatives - - - X
1
Stabilizers X X X X
Sweeteners - X - X
Thickeners X1 X X X

X = The use of additives belonging to the class is technologically justified. In the case of flavoured
products the additives are technologically justified in the dairy portion.
- = The use of additives belonging to the class is not technologically justified
1
= Use is restricted to reconstitution and recombination and if permitted by national legislation in the
country of sale to the final consumer.
2
= Use of carbonating agents is technologically justified in Drinks based on Fermented Milk only.
Acidity regulators, colours, emulsifiers, packaging gases and preservatives listed in Table 3 of the
General Standard for Food Additives (CODEX STAN 192-1995) are acceptable for use in fermented
milk products categories as specified in the table above.
Codex Standard 243-2003 4

INS No. Name of Additive Maximum Level

Acidity Regulators
334 Tartaric acid (L(+)
335(i) Monosodium tartrate
335(ii) Sodium L(+)-tartrate
2000 mg/kg as tartaric acid
336(i) Monopotassium tartrate
336(ii) Dipotassium tartrate
337 Potassium sodium L(+)- tartrate
355 Adipic acid
356 Sodium adipate
1500 mg/kg, as adipic acid
357 Potassium adipate
359 Ammonium adipate

Carbonating agents
290 Carbon dioxide GMP

Colours
100(i) Curcumin 100 mg/kg
101(i) Riboflavin, synthetic
300 mg/kg
101(ii) Riboflavin 5’-phosphate, sodium
102 Tartrazine 300 mg/kg
104 Quinoline yellow 150 mg/kg
110 Sunset yellow FCF 300 mg/kg
120 Carmines 150 mg/kg
122 Azorubine (carmoisine) 150 mg/kg
124 Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) 150 mg/kg
129 Allura red AC 300 mg/kg
132 Indigotine 100 mg/kg
133 Brilliant blue FCF 150 mg/kg
141(i) Chlorophylls, copper complexes
500 mg/kg
141(ii) Chlorophyllins, copper complexes, sodium and potassium salts
143 Fast green FCF 100 mg/kg
150b Caramel II - caustic sulfite process 150 mg/kg
150c Caramel III – ammonia process 2000 mg/kg
150d Caramel IV – sulfite ammonia process 2000 mg/kg
151 Brilliant black (Black PN) 150 mg/kg
155 Brown HT 150 mg/kg
160a(i) Carotene, beta- (synthetic)
160e Carotenal, beta-apo-8’-
100 mg/kg
160f Carotenoic acid, methyl or ethyl ester, beta-apo-8’-
160a(iii) Carotenes, beta- (Blakeslea trispora)
160a(ii) Carotenes, vegetable 600 mg/kg
160b(i) Annatto extracts, bixin-based 20 mg/kg as bixin
160b(ii) Annatto extracts, norbixin-based 20 mg/kg as norbixin
160d Lycopenes 30 mg/kg as pure lycopene
161b(i) Lutein from Tagetes erecta 150 mg/kg
161h(i) Zeaxanthin (synthetic) 150 mg/kg
163(ii) Grape skin extract 100 mg/kg
172(i) Iron oxide, black
172(ii) Iron oxide, red 100 mg/kg
172(iii) Iron oxide, yellow

Emulsifiers
432 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
433 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
434 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate 3000 mg/kg
435 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate
436 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate
472e Diacetyltartaric and fatty acid esters of glycerol 10000 mg/kg
473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids 5000 mg/kg
474 Sucroglycerides 5000 mg/kg
475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids 2000 mg/kg
477 Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids 5000 mg/kg
481(i) Sodium stearoyl lactylate 10000 mg/kg
482(i) Calcium stearoyl lactylate 10000 mg/kg
491 Sorbitan monostearate 5000 mg/kg
Codex Standard 243-2003 5

INS No. Name of Additive Maximum Level

492 Sorbitan tristearate
493 Sorbitan monolaurate
494 Sorbitan monooleate
495 Sorbitan monopalmitate
900a Polydimethylsiloxane 50 mg/kg

Flavour Enhancers
580 Magnesium gluconate GMP
620 Glutamic acid (L+)- GMP
621 Monosodium L-glutamate GMP
622 Monopotassium L-glutamate GMP
623 Calcium di-L-glutamate GMP
624 Monoammonium L-glutamate GMP
625 Magnesium di-L-glutamate GMP
626 Guanylic acid, 5'- GMP
627 Disodium 5’-guanylate- GMP
628 Dipotassium 5’-guanylate- GMP
629 Calcium 5’-guanylate GMP
630 Inosinic acid, 5'- GMP
631 Disodium 5’-inosinate GMP
632 Dipotassium 5’-inosinate GMP
633 Calcium 5’-inosinate GMP
634 Calcium 5’-ribonucleotides- GMP
635 Disodium 5’-ribonucleotides- GMP
636 Maltol GMP
637 Ethyl maltol GMP

Preservatives
200 Sorbic acid
201 Sodium sorbate
1000 mg/kg as sorbic acid
202 Potassium sorbate
203 Calcium sorbate
210 Benzoic acid
211 Sodium benzoate
300 mg/kg as benzoic acid
212 Potassium benzoate
213 Calcium benzoate
234 Nisin 500 mg/kg

Stabilizers and Thickeners

170(i) Calcium carbonate GMP
331(iii) Trisodium citrate GMP
338 Phosphoric acid
339(i) Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
339(ii) Disodium hydrogen phosphate
339(iii) Trisodium phosphate
340(i) Potassium dihydrogen phosphate
340(ii) Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate
340(iii) Tripotassium phosphate
341(i) Monocalcium dihydrogen phosphate
341(ii) Calcium hydrogen phosphate
341(iii) Tricalcium orthophosphate
342(i) Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
342(ii) Diammonium hydrogen phosphate 1000 mg/kg, singly or in
343(i) Monomagnesium phosphate combination, as phosphorus
343(ii) Magnesium hydrogen phosphate
343(iii) Trimagnesium phosphate
450(i) Disodium diphosphate
450(ii) Trisodium diphosphate
450(iii) Tetrasodium diphosphate
450(v) Tetrapotassium diphosphate
450(vi) Dicalcium diphosphate
450(vii) Calcium dihydrogen diphosphate
451(i) Pentasodium triphosphate
451(ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate
452(i) Sodium polyphosphate
Codex Standard 243-2003 6

INS No. Name of Additive Maximum Level

452(ii) Potassium polyphosphate
452(iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate
452(iv) Calcium polyphosphate
452(v) Ammonium polyphosphate
542 Bone phosphate
400 Alginic acid GMP
401 Sodium alginate GMP
402 Potassium alginate GMP
403 Ammonium alginate GMP
404 Calcium alginate GMP
405 Propylene glycol alginate GMP
406 Agar GMP
407 Carrageenan GMP
407a Processed Eucheuma seaweed (PES) GMP
410 Carob bean gum GMP
412 Guar gum GMP
413 Tragacanth gum GMP
414 Gum Arabic (Acacia gum) GMP
415 Xanthan gum GMP
416 Karaya gum GMP
417 Tara gum GMP
418 Gellan gum GMP
425 Konjac flour GMP
440 Pectins GMP
459 Cyclodextrin, -beta 5 mg/kg
460(i) Microcrystalline cellulose (Cellulose gel) GMP
460(ii) Powdered cellulose GMP
461 Methyl cellulose GMP
463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose GMP
464 Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose GMP
465 Methyl ethyl cellulose GMP
466 Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (cellulose gum) GMP
467 Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose GMP
Cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (cross-linked
468 GMP
cellulose gum)
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, enzymatically hydrolyzed
469 GMP
(cellulose gum,enzymatically hydrolyzed)
Salts of myristic, palmitic and stearic acids with ammonia, calcium,
470(i) GMP
potassium and sodium
470(ii) Salts of oleic acid with calcium, potassium and sodium GMP
471 Mono- and di- glycerides of fatty acids GMP
472a Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol GMP
472b Lactic and fatty acid esters of glycerol GMP
472c Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol GMP
508 Potassium chloride GMP
509 Calcium chloride GMP
511 Magnesium chloride GMP
1200 Polydextrose GMP
1400 Dextrins, roasted starch GMP
1401 Acid treated starch GMP
1402 Alkaline treated starch GMP
1403 Bleached starch GMP
1404 Oxidized starch GMP
1405 Starches, enzyme treated GMP
1410 Mono starch phosphate GMP
1412 Distarch phosphate GMP
1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate GMP
1414 Acetylated distarch phosphate GMP
1420 Starch acetate GMP
1422 Acetylated distarch adipate GMP
1440 Hydroxypropyl starch GMP
1442 Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate GMP
1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate GMP
1451 Acetylated oxidized starch GMP
Codex Standard 243-2003 7

INS No. Name of Additive Maximum Level

Sweeteners1
420 Sorbitol GMP
421 Mannitol GMP
950 Acesulfame potassium 350 mg/kg
951 Aspartame 1000 mg/kg
952 Cyclamates 250 mg/kg
953 Isomalt (Hydrogenated isomaltulose) GMP
954 Saccharin 100 mg/kg
955 Sucralose (Trichlorogalactosucrose) 400 mg/kg
956 Alitame 100 mg/kg
961 Neotame 100 mg/kg
350 mg/kg on an acesulfame
962 Aspartame-acesulfame salt
potassium equivalent basis
964 Polyglycitol syrup GMP
965 Maltitols GMP
966 Lactitol GMP
967 Xylitol GMP
968 Erythritol GMP

5. CONTAMINANTS
The products covered by this Standard shall comply with the Maximum Levels for contaminants that
are specified for the product in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods and Feeds
(CODEX STAN 193-1995).
The milk used in the manufacture of the products covered by this Standard shall comply with the
Maximum Levels for contaminants and toxins specified for milk by the General Standard for
Contaminants and Toxins in Foods and Feeds (CODEX STAN 193-1995) and with the maximum
residue limits for veterinary drug residues and pesticides established for milk by the CAC.

6. HYGIENE
It is recommended that the products covered by the provisions of this standard be prepared and handled
in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Recommended International Code of Practice –
General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969), the Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and
Milk Products (CAC/RCP 57-2004) and other relevant Codex texts such as Codes of Hygienic Practice
and Codes of Practice. The products should comply with any microbiological criteria established in
accordance with the Principles for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria for
Foods (CAC/GL 21-1997).

7. LABELLING
In addition to the provisions of the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods
(CODEX STAN 1-1985) and the General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms (CODEX STAN 206-
1999), the following specific provisions apply:
7.1 NAME OF THE FOOD
7.1.1 The name of the products covered by sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, shall be fermented milk or
concentrated fermented milk as appropriate.
However, these names may be replaced by the designations Yoghurt, Acidophilus Milk, Kefir, Kumys,
Stragisto, Labneh, Ymer and Ylette, provided that the product complies with the specific provisions of
this Standard. Yoghurt may be spelled as appropriate in the country of retail sale.
“Alternate culture yoghurt”, as defined in Section 2, shall be named through the use of an appropriate
qualifier in conjunction with the word “yoghurt”. The chosen qualifier shall describe, in a way that is
accurate and not misleading to the consumer, the nature of the change imparted to the yoghurt through
the selection of the specific Lactobacilli in the culture for manufacturing the product. Such change
may include a marked difference in the fermentation organisms, metabolites and/or sensory properties
of the product when compared to the product designated solely as “yoghurt”. Examples of qualifiers

1
The use of sweeteners is limited to milk-and milk derivative-based products energy reduced or with no added sugar.
Codex Standard 243-2003 8

which describe differences in sensory properties include terms such as “mild” and “tangy”. The term
“alternate culture yoghurt” shall not apply as a designation.
The above specific terms may be used in connection with the term “frozen” provided (i) that the
product submitted to freezing complies with the requirements in this Standard, (ii) that the specific
starter cultures can be reactivated in reasonable numbers by thawing, and (iii) that the frozen product is
named as such and is sold for direct consumption, only.
Other fermented milks and concentrated fermented milks may be designated with other variety names
as specified in the national legislation of the country in which the product is sold, or names existing by
common usage, provided that such designations do not create an erroneous impression in the country
of retail sale regarding the character and identity of the food.
7.1.2 Products obtained from fermented milk(s) heat treated after fermentation shall be named “Heat
Treated Fermented Milk”. If the consumer would be misled by this name, the products shall be named
as permitted by national legislation in the country of retail sale. In countries where no such legislation
exists, or no other names are in common usage, the product shall be named “Heat Treated Fermented
Milk”.
7.1.3 The designation of Flavoured Fermented Milks shall include the name of the principal
flavouring substance(s) or flavour(s) added.
7.1.4 The name of the products defined in Section 2.4 shall be drinks based on fermented milk or may
be designated with other variety names as allowed in the national legislation of the country in which
the product is sold. In particular, water added as an ingredient to fermented milk shall be declared in
the list of ingredients2 and the percentage of fermented milk used (m/m) shall clearly appear on the
label. When flavoured, the designation shall include the name of the principal flavouring substance(s)
or flavour(s) added.
7.1.5 Fermented milks to which only nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners have been added, may be
labeled as “sweetened ______”, the blank being replaced by the term “Fermented Milk” or another
designation as specified in Section 7.1.1 and 7.1.4. If non-nutritive sweeteners are added in partial or
total substitution to sugar, the mention “sweetened with ______” or “sugared and sweetened with
______” should appear close to the name of the product, the blank being filled in with the name of the
artificial sweeteners.
7.1.6 The names covered by this Standard may be used in the designation, on the label, in commercial
documents and advertising of other foods, provided that it is used as an ingredient and that the
characteristics of the ingredient are maintained to a relevant degree in order not to mislead the
consumer.
7.2 DECLARATION OF FAT CONTENT
If the consumer would be mislead by the omission, the milk fat content shall be declared in a manner
acceptable in the country of sale to the final consumer, either as (i) a percentage of mass or volume, or
(ii) in grams per serving as qualified in the label, provided that the number of servings is stated.
7.3 LABELLING OF NON-RETAIL CONTAINERS
Information required in Section 7 of this Standard and Sections 4.1 to 4.8 of the General Standard for
the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods, and, if necessary, storage instructions, shall be given either on
the container or in accompanying documents, except that the name of the product, lot identification,
and the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, shall appear on the container. However, lot
identification and the name and address of the manufacturer or packager may be replaced by an
identification mark, provided that such mark is clearly identifiable with the accompanying documents.

8. METHODS OF SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

See CODEX STAN 234-1999.

2
As prescribed in section 4.2.1.5 of the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods