The invention relates to the manufacture of strained fermented dairy products. The invention allows improvements in the use of the materials and by-products as well as in the properties of the product obtained. A lactic acid bacteria having a low lactose metabolization capacity in acid whey is used.

The invention concerns a sweetened dairy product comprising a dairy material, at least one steviol glycoside, and a lactase enzyme.

A method for preparing a cultured dairy product comprising: blending water, ultra-filtered milk and other ingredients to establish a dairy base, fermenting the dairy base to establish an intermediate yogurt product, adding a fat into the intermediate yogurt product, and blending the fat and intermediate yogurt product to produce a high fat and low carb yogurt. The amount of lactose in the dairy base is minimal, basically just enough to enable fermentation. On the other hand, instead of maintaining a low fat level, the fat, preferably a milk fat from butter, is added to increase the overall fat content to establish an overall high fat, low carbohydrate finished yogurt product.

The present invention relates to novel sucrose negative (Suc) Streptococcus thermophilus strains, compositions comprising said strains, uses thereof, methods for obtaining such strains and methods for the preparation of fermented food products using such compositions.