For the last 120 years, IDF has contributed to the development of standards for the dairy sector and has closely collaborated with key stakeholders to share its expertise for milk and dairy products, with safe, sustainable and fair-trade practices at heart.
Helping to nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy.
ensures the best scientific expertise is used to support high quality milk and
nutritious, safe and sustainable dairy products.
IDF pillars
Standards
Nutrition & Health
Sustainability
Safety & Quality
Our Work
Dairy & sustainable development goals
The dairy sector is an essential contributor to the UN sustainable development goals.
While the sector has obvious impacts on ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving the nutritional value of diets in a sustainable manner, the sector also has an important part to play in the achievement of many of the other sustainability goals identified.
For more information on the dairy sector’s commitment to the sustainable development goals, including case studies and other information, visit the website of the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam.
IDF Membership
IDF’s membership is made up of National Committees, constituted by dairy organizations in each country and representing as fully as possible the various dairying activities of the country (such as milk production, manufacture, distribution, technology, science, human nutrition, marketing, economics, education and administration).
It is estimated that 12-14% of the world population live on dairy farms or within dairy farming households
More than 6 billion people worldwide consume milk and milk products
At least 160 million children around the world currently receive and benefit from receiving milk at school
World milk production is expected to grow 1.7% p.a. reaching approximately 981 Mt by 2028
Milk and dairy foods are important sources of several nutrients that contribute to health and a well-balanced diet.
The dairy sector benefits from IDF/ISO’s unique collaboration to provide standards for methods of analysis and sampling
Featured publications
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Factsheet of the IDF 32/2023: Executive Summary of IDF Country Update – Decemb...
Members of the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Policy and Economics and the Standing Committee on Marketing up....
The IDF Milking Technologies Symposium 2023 - Watch again on Demand...
Session 1: Milking machine technology: design, efficiency and testing This session will delve into the intrica....
IDF Animal Health Report N° 17
In this edition of the IDF Animal Health Report, dedicated to the science and practice of young stock manageme....
Issue 1: IDF Women in Dairy Report 2023 - Unlocking Endless Potential...
This report is a testimony of existing practices around the world to empower women in the dairy sector. Helpin....
Latest news & events
Global impact through collaboration: The value of ...
By Wendy Warren, Ph.D., Dairy Scientist and Chair of the U.S. TAG to ISO TC34/SC5 In 2019, USDA AMS Dairy Program pursued accreditation by the....
Advancing Food Quality and Safety through Protein ...
I am a biochemist with expertise in protein analyses and mass spectrometry. My goal is to improve food quality and safety, notably through a better....
IDF announces winners of the “IDF Professor ...
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) is thrilled to announce the winners of the “IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize....
2024 IDF DAIRY INNOVATION AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNC...
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2024 edition of the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards that have....
