IDF Elects New Leadership and Advances Work on Codex Dairy Standards
Forty-four countries sent representatives to the International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit, which was held in Melbourne, Australia, on November 19-26. At the meeting, IDF elected new leadership and advanced a number of issues regarding Codex dairy standards. IDFA staff members Cary Frye and Allen Sayler attended in order to promote the interests of the U.S. dairy foods industry.
Jim Begg of the United Kingdom was elected to a four-year term as the new IDF president. Begg, 54, is currently the director-general of Dairy UK, the recently created organization that represents and promotes the interests of the entire UK dairy industry.
"We're impressed with Jim's leadership record in the UK and are looking forward to working with him as he expands the influence of the global dairy industry through IDF," said Sayler, IDFA senior director of regulatory affairs. "He was successful in bringing together the fractioned UK dairy organizations, and we hope he will be able to increase IDF membership and visibility for the benefit of the dairy industry worldwide."
In addition, two U.S. representatives — Dr. Joseph O'Donnell from the California Dairy Research Foundation and Tom Balmer from the National Milk Producers Federation — were elected to the Program Coordination Committee, which oversees the work of IDF's Standing Committees and Task Forces.
IDF continues its membership enrollment campaign, and Indonesia was introduced during the meeting as the newest member of IDF. This addition brings the total IDF membership to 42 countries.
Many IDF Standing Committees and Task Forces met in conjunction with the summit, advancing important work for Codex dairy issues in the areas listed below. The World Trade Organization uses Codex standards in its dispute settlement system, providing a strong incentive for many countries, including the United States, to adopt Codex language in domestic regulations.
- Food Additives — The committee established IDF positions on Codex documents for processing aids, flavoring agents and carriers, food additives in fermented milks and creams, and preamble language for the Codex General Standard for Food Additives. It also received an update on 2005 Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives evaluations of food additives.
- Food Labeling — The committee clarified the IDF position on proposed Codex efforts to include a requirement for Quantitative Ingredient Declaration on all food products. In addition, the committee finalized an explanatory paper on the Codex Standard for the use of dairy terms that restricts the use of dairy terms and symbols on non-dairy products. It is also developing acceptable dairy descriptors for non-standardized dairy products and reaffirmed the IDF position on nutrition and health claims.
- Microbiological Hygiene — The committee evaluated Codex documents on the validation of food hygiene measures; control of Listeria monocytogenes; and reuse of processing water in food plants. In addition, the committee worked on a revision of the existing Codex Code for Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods that may impact the U.S. ice cream and frozen dessert industry and discussed the scope of the concept of "integrated chain management" for the food supply.
- Dairy Standards of Identity — The committee further developed a Codex standard for fermented milk drinks that would include "smoothies" and yogurt drinks, as well as dairy spreads with less milkfat than butter. The committee is also working on a new standard for processed cheese and whey cheese. There was no additional work on 10 other cheese standards, pending action by the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products.
- Residues and Contaminants — The committee reviewed a new Codex paper on the use of chlorine in the food industry and discussed the challenges of antibiotic use.
- Traceability/Product Tracing — The committee finalized a survey to be sent to IDF members to gather data on how each country and its dairy industry track products from processing to the consumer.
In addition, a number of information/educational presentations were available to World Dairy Summit attendees on nutrition and health, dairy policies and economics, food safety, dairy marketing, sustainable cleaning systems, dairy sustainability, growth opportunities for dairy, dairy farming, and emerging benefits of dairy proteins.
For more details and information related to the IDF World Dairy Summit or actions of the IDF Standing Committees and Task Forces, please contact Allen Sayler at 202-220-3544.
