WASHINGTON, September 9, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, issued the following statement today on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s Make Our Children Healthy Again strategy report:
“IDFA appreciates that the MAHA Commission’s strategy recognizes milk and other dairy foods as wholesome, nutrient-dense options that play a vital role in health and wellness. We urge the federal government to follow through on this strategy by acknowledging the health benefits of dairy foods at all fat levels in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans and throughout all federal nutrition programs. Additionally, we encourage USDA to use this strategy as the basis for working with Congress to expand SNAP dairy incentives to include more wholesome varieties of milk, cheese, yogurt and cultured dairy products for SNAP participants. The USDA-administered SNAP dairy incentive program has reached 1,100 grocery stores in 32 states and, with this report endorsing an expansion of such programs as well as incorporating whole milk and full-fat dairy options into federal nutrition programs, IDFA plans to collaborate with the federal government to grow SNAP dairy incentives to all 50 states to encourage the purchase of wholesome dairy products.
“U.S. dairy farmers, processors, and the entire dairy supply chain share the Commission’s goal of reducing childhood chronic disease. America’s dairy companies have already reduced added sugars in flavored school milk by 60% since 2006 and are actively removing all certified artificial colors from dairy products included in school meals and ice cream sold at retail. At the same time, dairy companies continue to innovate by offering a wider variety of nutrient-rich and lactose-free options to meet the needs of today’s families and children. Through school meals, WIC, SNAP and other nutrition programs, America’s dairy industry remains committed to ensuring every child has access to dairy’s 13 essential nutrients. We look forward to working closely with the Commission and policymakers to build on these priorities and advance the health of America’s children.”
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Contact: press@idfa.org
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.