Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, addressed members of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, at the association’s annual meeting last week in Milwaukee. PMMI is a partner with IDFA in ProFood Tech, the new food and beverage processing trade show that will be held next April, and Carlin was invited to introduce PMMI members to the dairy processing industry.

In his remarks, he stated that growth potential for dairy exists in a number of areas, including global markets, expansion beyond traditional business models, insight-driven innovation and operational and performance excellence.

Key Issues

Defending and growing dairy’s role in the diet is a key issue for the industry, Carlin said, noting the work that IDFA is doing to keep dairy products well positioned in school and food-assistance programs. He mentioned IDFA’s leadership role in many recent labeling initiatives, including the disclosure of genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, health claims and changes to the Nutrition Facts panel.

IDFA also has been active in supporting policies that would increase U.S. dairy exports, Carlin said. Reforming the current federal milk pricing system would be a step in the right direction for global growth, he concluded.

For more information, contact Carlin at dcarlin@idfa.org.

For membership information, contact membership@idfa.org.