

Nutrition & Health
Scientific evidence supports the importance of milk and dairy products as part of healthy diets
The world is grappling with the challenges of feeding a rapidly increasing global population. A leading concern related to food production and consumption is producing enough nutrient dense foods to nourish the world sustainably, and without compromising global health.
Including dairy in diets globally is important in meeting the challenge of delivering on Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Studies have shown that dairy plays an important role in providing enough protein and nutrients to feed the world.
Importance of dairy products
Milk and dairy products can be important in diversifying the diet. They are nutrient-dense and provide high quality protein and micronutrients in an easily absorbed form. This can benefit both nutritionally vulnerable people as well as healthy people when consumed in appropriate quantities and as part of healthy eating patterns.
IDF work on nutrition focuses on exploring the huge potential of the dairy sector has for tackling malnutrition in all its forms and creating food security.
IDF work centres on promoting greater understanding of the importance of dairy products in the diet. This includes sharing information on the nutritional value of dairy and the role it plays in healthy diets produced in a sustainable way. IDF also seeks to increase understanding of dairy science, and the impact of dairy products on nutrition and health.


Dairy's vital role in global nutrition
Good health depends on good nutrition. Good nutrition, in turn, depends on agriculture to provide the foods for a balanced diet that meets our needs for energy and essential nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals. To feed a larger and more urbanised population, efficient production of nutrient rich foods is essential.
With hunger and malnutrition are on the rise, nutrient-dense foods such as milk and dairy foods provide high quality nutrition at all life stages and are part of healthy diets. They are a good source of under consumed nutrients, particularly for children and older adults.
- Nutritionally beneficial
- Environmentally sustainable
- Economically viable
- Culturally acceptable
Dairy's nutritional value
In countries where high quality protein sources are scarce for vulnerable populations, dairy is an affordable nutrient dense food, and plays a vital role in making high-quality nutrition accessible.
Dairy in a balanced diet
- Nutrient-dense foods such as milk and dairy foods provide high quality nutrition at all life stages and are part of healthy diets. They are a good source of under consumed nutrients, particularly for children and older adults.
- Feeding a growing population while staying within the planetary boundaries, requires a dynamic sector that embraces forward thinking, innovation, and technology. The global dairy sector continues to improve efficiency to reduce environmental impacts and is committed to expanding further the positive ecosystems services that the sector provides.
- The dairy sector is a partner in resilient food systems to create a future where all humans have enough good quality food to lead healthy and productive lives and food production helps to ensure a thriving planet for future generations.
Share this page


Dairy is an affordable nutrient dense food, which plays a vital role in making high-quality nutrition accessible
Learn more about dairy nutrition & health
The breadth of issues IDF covers in its work is extensive. Find out more about the work we do.
Composition of milk and milk products
Dairy foods are an important source of nutrients both children and adults alike.
Read MoreDairy’s role in healthy eating patterns
Scientific evidence supports the importance of milk and dairy products as part of a healthy eating p...
Read MoreFacts about dairy nutrition and health
Find out more about the many health benefits of dairy with our milk and dairy nutrition facts.
Read MoreSchool Milk Knowledge Hub
Contributing to the good health and nutrition of school children around the world
Read MoreRelated reports & publications
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Bulletin of the IDF N° 505/2020: The contribution of school milk programmes to the nutrition of chi...
School milk programmes are common in many countries around the world, for good reason. The benefits of providi....
Bulletin of the IDF N° 480/ 2015: The contribution of school milk programmes to the nutrition of ch...
Good nutrition is important for people of all ages. During childhood, good nutrition promotes normal growth an....
IDF Factsheet 11/ 2020: Dairy’s role in supporting a healthy immune system...
While no foods or dietary supplements can prevent COVID-19 infection, evidence shows that a healthy diet and g....
IDF Factsheet 3/ 2019 Matrix: The importance of the dairy (food) matrix in the evaluation of the nut...
It is increasingly recognized that the effects of milk and dairy foods on health extend beyond the benefits of....
Related news & insights
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Joint statement on COP28 from IDF and GDP
Joint statement on COP28 from IDF and GDP The Global Dairy Sector’s Commitment to Sustainability and Climate Action As the United Nations....
Celebrating World School Milk Day: Nourishing to thrive
With the beginning of the school year in my home country, Belgium, journal headlines highlight again the issue of “empty lunchboxes”. The....
IDF welcomes the launch of the FAO document “Contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes”
On April 25, I had the privilege to join a prestigious panel at the FAO in Rome for the launch of the first scientific review of the document....
The dairy matrix, the focus of the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium to be held on 3 May
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) will host its third annual IDF Nutrition & Health Symposium, a free virtual event that will take place....
The annual IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are now open for registration
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) 2nd Dairy Innovation Awards 2023 are now open for registration. Entries in all categories can be submitted....
Dairy nutrients support health throughout life
Today, IDF organised its annual Nutrition and Health Symposium, focusing on the role dairy plays across the life stages. Over 200 nutrition and....
Dairy through life: from childhood to ageing populations, the focus of the 2nd IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium
Organizers invite nutrition and health experts from all over the world to attend a free virtual Nutrition and Health Symposium. April 11, 2022,....
Join the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium 2022
After hosting a very successful and engaging event last year with over 400 participants, IDF is holding its second annual virtual Nutrition and....
A conversation with IDF Brazil’s young dairy influence, Isabele Torres – International Day for Women and Girls in Science
The 11th of February marks the achievements of women and girls in science across the globe, acknowledging their exceptional work and constantly....
IDF hosts webinar to celebrate World School Milk Day 2021
School milk programs are common in many countries around the world, with over 160 million children worldwide currently benefiting from milk in....
Nutrition symposium confirms important role of dairy in diets
IDF Symposium reviewing the latest science on the contribution of dairy in diets gathers several hundred health professionals from around the....
IDF creates dedicated food systems task force
IDF work on nutrition focuses on exploring the huge potential dairy has for alleviating malnutrition in all its forms and creating food security.....
Recognizing the importance of dairy is vital, says IDF President ahead of UN Food Systems Summit
President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Piercristiano Brazzale stresses the vital role of dairy in healthy and sustainable diets in....
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....