International Dairy Foods Association

DAIRY POLICY POSITION » "IDFA Dairy Policy Recommendations: Providing a Path to Growth and Opportunity" calls for simplifying the federal milk pricing system, rejecting supply control and providing risk management tools to dairy farmers. Download the policy document here.

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Farm Bill Goes Under the Knife

House lawmakers advanced work on the Farm Bill this week in a series of hearings addressing both the food-stamp and credit-program provisions of the bill. The House Agriculture Committee considered steep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which expends more than $75 billion a year...

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry held a hearing two weeks ago at which Jon Davis, president and CEO of Davisco Foods International, testified on behalf of IDFA.

House Version of Farm Bill Expected to Include Supply Management Provision

The House Agriculture Committee continues to hold hearings on key farm policy issues ahead of its Farm Bill mark-up. Regardless of opposition by IDFA and many producer organizations, the House version of the Farm Bill is likely to include the Dairy Security Act, similar to the version passed last month by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

European Union geographic indications included in bilateral trade agreements could erode the use of many common cheese names, such as parmesan, asiago and feta.

Dairy Groups Unite to Protect Common Names at TPP Talks

During round 12 of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations in Dallas this week, a group of global dairy organizations, led by the Consortium for Common Food Names, submitted a set of recommendations for safeguarding the use of common cheese names. IDFA is a founding member of the consortium, which joined with Dairy Australia and the Dairy Companies...

FDA would use the information to compile a database. When a problem occurs with certain foods or controls, FDA would search the database to determine facilities at increased risk..

FDA Seeks Comments on Use of Food Facility Profiles

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced plans to modify the food facility registration process as a part of its implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. FDA wants companies to submit on a voluntary basis a "facility profile" with operational details about their plants, so FDA can prepare for inspections in advance, reduce inspection...

Actress Nina Dobrev of TV's hit show "The Vampire Diaries" and her mom star in the latest Milk Mustache "got milk? ad.

Mothers and Daughters Are Stronger, Better with Milk

The Milk Processor Education Program launched the "Like Her, Like Me" program last week in New York. The program celebrates the positive ways mothers and daughters influence each other and aims to inspire moms and daughters to model healthy eating habits, like having milk with breakfast at home.

Add Sustainability Tools to Reach Corporate Financial and Environmental Goals

IDFA's Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 at the Hilton Chicago, will feature several new resources that show dairy professionals how to identify new opportunities to save energy and money, calculate their companies' carbon footprints and incorporate sustainability into business strategy and marketing. "Sustainability is the business model for...

The manuals updates on nutrient content claims, qualified health claims and structure/function claims and add new sections on standards of identity and product name, net contents statements, ingredient listing, allergen information, nutrition labeling and

Revised Labeling Manuals Simplify Rules, Add Updates

IDFA's team of labeling experts recently revised the comprehensive labeling manuals for milk and milk products, ice cream and frozen desserts, and cheese. "These manuals are must-have references for dairy professionals who are responsible for product labeling and compliance," said Cary Frye, IDFA vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs....

Soda Makers Scramble to Fill Void as Sales Drop
May 16, 2012 — The New York Times
Senators Ask for Farm Bill Action
May 16, 2012 — Farm Futures
Supermarket Dietitians Hear NPD on Trends
May 15, 2012 — Supermarket News
Greek Yogurt and ‘Better-for-You’ Products Set to Drive 2012 U.S. Dairy Sales
May 15, 2012 — DairyReporter.com

SEE ALL ››Upcoming Events

DAIRY ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
DAIRY SUSTAINABILITY
BETTER PROCESS CHEESE SCHOOL

Dairy Accounting & Finance Workshop

May 15-16, 2012
Hilton Rosemont | Rosemont, IL

Learn ins and outs of milk pricing, tax credits, cost segregation, federal/state milk reports, cost centers and measuring plant efficiency. Discuss software, best practices, benchmarks. 16 CPE.

LEARN MORE ››REGISTER NOW ››

Dairy Sustainability Symposium

May 30-31, 2012
Hilton Chicago | Chicago, IL

For dairy processors, sustainability offers a win-win proposition which contributes to a company’s bottom line. The Dairy Sustainability Symposium is designed to help you target ways to decrease your carbon footprint while you increase your efficiency.

LEARN MORE ››REGISTER NOW ››

Better Process Cheese School

June 14-15, 2012
Offices of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) | Rosemont, IL

Current regulations recommend each plant producing process cheese to have at least one operator who has completed a Better Process Cheese School. IDFA's school is conducted by instructors who meet stringent criteria set by the Food and Drug Administration.

LEARN MORE ››REGISTER NOW ››

SEE ALL ››News Highlights

FEATURED NEWS

May 16, 2012

IDFA, Morningstar Share Food Safety Practices with FAS Professionals

IDFA and Morningstar Foods, a business segment of Dean Foods Company, last week demonstrated the industry's strict attention to food safety systems to...