WASHINGTON – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made public a guide to help small- and medium-sized dairy operations comply with the new yogurt standard.

The FDA published the guide so food manufacturers producing yogurt can navigate the new requirements that go into place Jan. 1, 2024.

The 16-page document for small entity compliance, which can be downloaded via the FDA website, covers the rule’s requirements for yogurt, with details on ingredients, cultures, pH levels, sweeteners and more.

The guide also offers labeling requirements connected to sweeteners, added vitamins, reduced fat products and other common questions manufacturers may encounter on the topic.

The FDA in April issued a final order to modify a standard of identity rule for yogurt, amending the yogurt standard acidity requirement to require products to have a pH of 4.6 or lower.