IDF contributes its expertise on standards for methods of analysis for dairy products to Codex
What is the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS)? The CCMAS is one of the horizontal Codex Committees that addresses Methods of Analysis and Sampling across all food commodities. This Committee has for a main role to consider, amend, if necessary, and endorse, as appropriate, methods of analysis and sampling proposed by […]
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 […]
LEAP Sustainability Initiatives Forging Ahead
In 2019, IDF was pleased to take up the chairmanship role in the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) partnership, an initiative focused on improving sustainability within the livestock sector. LEAP is a multi-stakeholder initiative made up of Governments, NGOs and members of the private sector, which is hosted by FAO. It develops comprehensive […]
Celebrating the Dairy Matrix on World Health Day
On Sunday, the 7th of April, World Health Day was celebrated, a day which highlights the importance of global health and focuses on the ways in which we can improve it. The relationship between diet and nutrition and the substantial impact on health is well known and has again been highlighted in a recent study in […]
Codex Adopts Changes to Harmonise Standards for Ripened Cheeses, Removing International Trade Challenges
Last week, at its 51st session in Jinan China, the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) adopted the changes needed to harmonise provisions in the 13 Codex Standards for ripened cheeses (Cheddar, Danbo, Gouda, Havarti, Edam, Samso, Emmental, Tilsiter, Saint Paulin, Provolone, Camembert, Brie and Coulommiers), removing an international trade challenge for exports of ripened […]
How the Dairy Sector is Tackling Food Waste
The dairy sector is committed to adopting sustainable practices and ultimately being a key contributor to sustainable food systems. Of course, tackling food waste is a critical part of that effort. As the chair of the Standing Committee on Environment at the International Dairy Federation (IDF), I am honoured to have the chance to speak […]
Three Reasons Dairy is an Essential Part of a Sustainable Diet
The UN Environment Assembly will be gathering soon in Nairobi to discuss the theme of “Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production”. How we can build sustainable food systems will no doubt be at the centre of these discussions. As the President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), every day I see […]
Tackling antimicrobial resistance in the dairy sector is a global effort to ensure animal and public health, and food safety
The dairy sector has adopted an integrated supply chain management approach to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This requires positive actions and cooperation by all players such as dairy farmers, veterinarians, dairy and meat processing companies, animal feed producers, pharmaceutical firms and regulators. The recent annual World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2018 may have […]
Our Future Depends on Ruminants
The media often reports how consumer choices can contribute to sustainable development, for instance by adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. As a sustainability manager working for the International Dairy Federation (IDF), I came to realize that people are continually exposed to incorrect information that is repeated without being challenged, in particular about the impact […]
Clampdown on milking a name to market vegan substitute
The US is joining the EU, Canada, Norway, Iceland and New Zealand in regulating the misuse of dairy terms. Consumers have the right to know when they are not buying real dairy products. A plant-based substance is no alternative to animal milk in terms of its composition, texture, taste and nutritional value. A liquid plant-based […]
