Important outcomes from Codex meeting on nutrition and foods for special diets

On 24-29 November 2019, the 41st session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses was held in Dusseldorf, Germany. The meeting aimed to study specific nutritional problems and advise on general nutrition issues; to draft general provisions concerning the nutritional aspects of all foods; to develop standards and guidelines for […]

Sharing knowledge in dairy welfare

Animal welfare is increasing in importance in agricultural systems in many countries around the world.  As the 13th edition of the IDF Animal Health Report is released, Louise Winblad of Växa Sverige reflects on why information on animal welfare should be communicated globally, and shares details on some of the case studies included in the […]

Dairy: nourishing a growing world population sustainably

  This year’s COP25, which launches in Madrid this week, will be the start of a crucial period for the environment. COP25 is the final COP before we enter the defining year of 2020, when many nations must submit new climate action plans. With climate change forecasts suggesting we must alter various aspects of modern […]

Major progress on food safety guidance achieved at Codex

  The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) was held 4-8 November 2019 in Cleveland (US). Two major pieces of work were completed during this session: The Proposed Draft Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators CCFH agreed to send it to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for adoption at step […]

Shaping the sector for a sustainable future

One of the main benefits of the IDF World Dairy Summit is the opportunity it presents to bring the sector together to discuss what the future holds for dairy, and how we, as representatives of the sector can help to shape it. I firmly believe that if we as a dairy sector have a bold […]

Coordinated action needed on mastitis

Healthy and productive dairy animals are vital to the provision of a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply at a time of a rapidly increasing global population. Mastitis causes decreased productivity as well as food loss due to discarded milk. Coordinated action is essential if the dairy sector is to achieve optimal management of this […]

Dairy animals and their role in a sustainable food system

  Over the past few months, discussions on how to develop sustainable food systems have been in the spotlight, and was one of the key topics at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi which I had the pleasure to attend. Nourishing (not only feeding with empty food) an increasing world population with an efficient use […]

World Food Safety Day: Food Safety, everyone’s business

  IDF welcomes the first World Food Safety Day, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018, which will be celebrated on 7 June 2019 under the theme “Food Safety, everyone’s business.” It is indeed everyone’s business! Without food safety, there is no food security. In a world where the food supply chain […]

Family farming in a rapidly changing world

 Introducing the UN Decade of Family Farming On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution by which it declared 2019-2028 to be the Decade of Family Farming. FAO and IFAD actively supported the campaign and have been called upon to co-lead the implementation of the Decade in cooperation with a […]