WASHINGTON, June 26, 2020—Joe Scimeca, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to allow the use of Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), Milk Protein Isolate (MPI) and Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) in products labeled "high protein milk":

“FDA’s decision to allow milk products utilizing high-quality protein concentrates to be labelled as ‘high protein milk’ is a positive step for greater flexibility and continued innovation in the dairy industry. This sort of flexibility allows the industry to provide the American public with more nutritious, high-quality dairy products. Dairy foods companies are innovating and creating new and exciting ways to deliver healthy, more convenient, and better tasting products to a growing consumer base. IDFA believes standards and regulations play an important role in ensuring food safety, quality and consistency, but excessive rules can stifle innovation and reduce the competitiveness of U.S. dairy foods in the global marketplace. IDFA will continue to work with FDA on labelling flexibility that allows for greater innovation in dairy.”

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $159 billion in wages and $620 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

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Vice President, Communications