News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected] WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2020—Dairy industry leaders from across the country are in Washington this week to urge Congressional leaders and appropriators to fund important research, a SNAP milk incentive pilot program, and dairy standards modernization at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2021. The […]

In January, the Mexican government approved a measure to require special labeling for domestic and imported prepackaged, processed foods and non-alcoholic beverages. The new regulation will require a front-of-pack (FOP) labeling warning system with icons that highlight excessive content of calories, sugars, saturated fats, trans fats or sodium in products, and identifies caffeine- and sweetener-containing […]

If one thing was apparent in the energy and attendance at Dairy Forum 2020, it’s that right now is a really good time to be in dairy. The dairy business in the United States at the consumer level has never been bigger, never been stronger, and it continues to grow. Dairy is highly relevant in […]

IDFA and a large coalition of associations in the food and agriculture sector wrote a letter to U.S. Senate Finance Committee leadership, cautioning the committee against imposing a truck-only vehicle miles tax (VMT) that would place a disproportionate share of the tax burden on freight transportation.  IDFA vehemently opposes this sort of VMT, as the trucking industry […]

By Tracy Boyle, Senior Director, Employee Relations and Administrative Services Companies with greater gender diversity—not just among the workforce, but more specifically among senior leaders—are more profitable and have superior value creation, according to McKinsey & Company. The same report said while companies have made significant strides as of late—including those in the U.S. dairy industry—more […]

Companies with greater gender diversity—not just among the workforce, but more specifically among senior leaders—are more profitable and have superior value creation, according to McKinsey & Company. The same report said while companies have made significant strides as of late—including those in the U.S. dairy industry—more can be done. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) was […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2020—“Despite significant disruptions in trade throughout 2019, U.S. dairy exports surged to $5.93 billion last year—a level unseen since the high-water mark of 2014, proving that American dairy continues to be the bright spot among an otherwise sluggish agricultural export market.  “This growth is a testament […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Danielle Quist(202) [email protected] WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association is now accepting applications for the 16th annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards, a program that honors facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety performance. As award criteria, IDFA uses both leading and lagging indicators recommended by health and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has named Andrew Jerome director, external and member communications, within the executive and strategic communications department. Jerome will manage IDFA’s communications, marketing and reputation management activities for IDFA members and the broader dairy and food industries. Jerome will report to […]

Dairy Forum 2020 drew more than 1,140 members of the dairy community to the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona this week. IDFA would like to thank all the companies that sponsored events and activities and helped to make Dairy Forum a tremendous success. Dairy Forum SponsorsRabobank – Premier Sponsor Tetra Pak – Premier Sponsor Clarion Lubricants […]

Statement of J. David Carlin, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs and Economic Policy Before the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Federal Food and Drug Administration Efforts to Ensure Safety and Transparency in Food and Drug SupplyJanuary 29, 2020 The full statement is here.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2020 —“We are grateful to the Trump Administration for their persistent work to negotiate and gain Congressional passage of the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The new USMCA deal delivers a major win for U.S. dairy that levels the playing field with our largest trading partners. It preserves hundreds-of-thousands of jobs in U.S. food and agriculture […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2020—Edith Wilkin of Leprino Foods Company received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2020 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum today in Scottsdale, Arizona. The award, now in its fourth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing […]

Jan 27, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2020—MVP Dairy, LLC of Celina, Ohio was recognized as the 2020 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year during a special ceremony this week at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona. MVP Dairy is a partnership between two, fourth-generation […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2020—MVP Dairy, LLC of Celina, Ohio was recognized as the 2020 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year during a special ceremony this week at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona. MVP Dairy is a partnership between two, fourth-generation farm families, the […]

The Power of ChangeInternational Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)Dairy Forum 2020Scottsdale, AZ Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President & CEO, IDFA Monday, January 27, 20208:45 a.m. MST INTRODUCTION Welcome to Dairy Forum.  Thank you to everyone who made the journey here today, and hello to those of you watching VIA LIVESTREAM from around […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   Frye to retire from IDFA in June 2020 after 35-year career in dairyWASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized and celebrated the career of Cary Frye, IDFA’s Senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, at the annual Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona. Before a ballroom of […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2020—Andrei Mikhalevsky, former president and CEO of California Dairies, Inc., was greeted by a standing ovation and the acknowledgement of hundreds of his peers from across the dairy industry when he received the inaugural IDFA Laureate Award today during the association’s annual Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced new members of the organization’s Executive Council as well as new directors for the group’s five Industry Segment Boards. IDFA’s Executive Council is composed of executives from across the dairy foods industry and focuses on the business and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2020—Cary Frye, senior vice president for regulatory Affairs with the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in Washington, D.C., will give oral testimony today to the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) at the USDA Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas. This is the fourth meeting […]

What are PFAS? PFAS are a diverse class of about 5,000 chemical substances used for more than 60 years in household products, firefighting foams and industrial applications due to their heat, grease and water-resistant properties. Some PFAS have been used in food packaging approved by FDA. For the dairy industry, PFAS became a priority concern […]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2020 —“We are grateful to the United States Senate for their passage today of the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and for the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and their collaboration with the Administration on this important trade pact. The bipartisanship on USMCA has been impressive. The new USMCA deal delivers peace of mind […]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2020 —“Today, the two most powerful economies in the world began to restore a positive, mutually beneficial trade relationship, and dairy producers and processors across the United States are grateful. To put the importance of this development in perspective for America’s dairy industry: Over the next decade, China represents a $23 billion market […]

On December 19, 2019 the House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 5430) by an overwhelming vote of 385-41, with 193 Democrats voting in support (38 opposed), 192 Republicans voting in support (2 opposed) and one independent opposing the agreement. The ball is now in the Senate’s hands. Last week, the […]

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released the Fall 2019 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory Actions, which outlines the rulemaking actions that are under development at all federal regulatory agencies. The current agenda is of interest to the dairy industry because it includes status updates for key regulatory reform issues pending at […]

Jan 07, 2020 CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected] IDFA’s Women in Dairy Network brings together established leaders with young professionals WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is pleased today to launch the Women in Dairy Network to support a stronger, more diverse future for U.S. dairy. Since IDFA was established 30 years ago to […]

CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected] IDFA’s Women in Dairy Network brings together established leaders with young professionals WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is pleased today to launch the Women in Dairy Network to support a stronger, more diverse future for U.S. dairy. Since IDFA was established 30 years ago to harness the collective […]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2019 —“Over the next decade, China represents a $23 billion market opportunity for U.S. dairy, and it is essential to our dairy producers and companies that we secure a trade deal with China that further levels the playing field for American dairy. We are confident that today’s announcement of a phase one deal […]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2019 — “What a great day for U.S. dairy and all of American agriculture. With a smooth path ahead for the USMCA agreement, America’s dairy industry anticipates a bright future and continued growth through exports to Canada and Mexico. Once ratified, the new USMCA deal also delivers peace of mind for our businesses, […]

CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected] Celebration of Dairy annual holiday reception pays tribute to five officials who helped to advance policies important to the future of U.S. dairy  WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2019—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) recognized five individuals whose careers have positively impacted the trajectory of U.S. dairy. At an annual event called the Celebration […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Matt Herrick(202) [email protected] With passage of USMCA in jeopardy, a dozen executives from North America’s largest dairy companies travel to Washington, DC to speak directly with Congress and the Trump Administration WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2019—A dozen executives from North America’s largest dairy companies will travel to Washington on Wednesday to advocate directly […]

IDFA’s senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs Cary Frye will deliver oral testimony and submit comments at FDA’s September 27th public meeting to discuss horizontal approaches to modernizing standards of identity. Dairy products represent a third of the 280 federal food standards of identity, and these standards are significantly outdated and stand in the way […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the dairy industry are celebrating July as National Ice Cream Month with a month of activity culminating with National Ice Cream Day on July 21, 2019.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the dairy industry are celebrating July as National Ice Cream Month with a month of activity culminating with National Ice Cream Day on July 21, 2019.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2019 – With the average American eating more than 23 pounds of ice cream each year, one could suggest that every month is for ice cream. However, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the dairy industry are celebrating July as National Ice Cream Month with a month of activity culminating with […]

The Trump Administration announced last week that it plans to issue a final rule to amend the standard of identity for yogurt and revoke the separate standards of identity for lowfat and nonfat yogurt. IDFA has consistently advocated for updates to the yogurt standards and for a final rule during the past decade, following the release of […]

Members of Congress and their staffs aren’t the only ones enjoying ice cream with IDFA this summer. Through the @dairyidfa accounts on social media, IDFA will move the celebration online this Sunday for the start of National Ice Cream Month, uniting ice cream lovers around the world and encouraging all to share exciting images of their favorite dessert and the many ways that they enjoy it. The campaign is IDFA’s most popular social media celebration, reaching tens of thousands of ice cream fans on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

While IDFA may be best known for throwing summertime ice cream parties in Washington, this July the association spread its celebration of National Ice Cream Month through national and local media outlets, reaching many more ice cream lovers all across America. IDFA’s ice cream survey findings garnered more than 50 placements on local television stations around the country, and IDFA was mentioned or featured in more than 20 outlets, including the Washington Post, Food and Wine, Forbes and MIC, an online news platform. IDFA thanks the members who responded to the survey for helping make the media outreach activities a resounding success.

Responding to the Food and Drug Administration’s draft guidance on long-term voluntary sodium-reduction targets, IDFA and the National Milk Producers Federation last week called for the removal of the entire cheese category from both FDA’s long- and short-term reduction goals.The groups stressed that the goals are likely to be unachievable without sacrificing product quality, food safety and other critical product attributes.