Fruity Flavors and Inclusions Shine at 2023 Innovative Product Contests

Banana Graham Ice Cream. Smooth Blended Cottage Cheese with Strawberry. Costa Rican Pineapple & Guava Greek Yogurt. These and other sensational, fruit-forward flavors and inclusions shined this week, taking home two-thirds of the awards at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) annual Innovative Ice Cream Flavor and Innovative Cultured Dairy Product competitions.

After More than 40 Years of Advocacy, FDA Issues Final Order on Yogurt Standard of Identity Consistent with Guidance from the International Dairy Foods Association

Joseph Scimeca, PhD, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), issued the following statement today on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final order to modify the yogurt standard of identity final rule, published on June 9, 2021, in line with IDFA’s requested changes and objections:

FDA Amends Standard of Identity for Yogurt

April 13, 2023 FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a final order to modify the yogurt standard of identity final rule, published on June 9, 2021. The FDA is denying the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) request for a public hearing and is issuing a final order to modify the final rule with respect to maximum pH.

IDFA Announces ‘Healthy School Milk Commitment’ to Provide Nutritious Milk with Less Added Sugar for Students in Public Schools, Surpassing USDA Standards

On behalf of U.S. milk processors, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the establishment of the Healthy School Milk Commitment, a pledge by dairy companies to deliver milk’s 13 essential nutrients to America’s students while reducing calories and added sugars in flavored milk. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, 37 school milk processors representing more than 90% of the school milk volume in the United States commit to provide healthy, nutritious school milk options with no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounce serving, fully consistent with the latest federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans and ahead of current school meal nutrition guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

IDFA Senior Vice President Joseph Scimeca, PhD, Announces Retirement; National Search Begins for Successor

Joseph Scimeca, PhD, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), recently announced his plans to retire in the summer of 2023 following nearly four decades in the food industry. IDFA has begun a national search for Dr. Scimeca’s successor to lead the trade association’s Regulatory & Scientific Affairs team.