American dairy products are known throughout the world for safety, quality, affordability and consistency. A vast and complex set of food standards and labeling regulations underpin these characteristics, designed by policymakers to protect consumers and help them make informed buying decisions. Complex and sometimes competing international standards also govern dairy products in the global marketplace. IDFA members want to innovate and provide new products, packaging and portions for consumers at home and abroad, but doing so while complying with stringent, and sometimes outdated, regulations is a logistical challenge. Case in point: Dairy is one of the most regulated industries in the United States, with more than one-third of all food standards of identity governing dairy products. The key is finding the right balance, and that’s where IDFA excels.
The dairy industry does an outstanding job of providing high-quality, safe and nutritious foods for a growing market. IDFA believes standards and regulations play an important role in ensuring food safety, quality and consistency, but excessive rules can stifle innovation and capital investments, hinder job creation and reduce U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace.
IDFA continually advocates for practical and modern regulations that protect consumers while allowing innovation and growth in the industry. We call for harmonizing rules to remove redundancy and push back on policies or procedures that burden companies and drain resources without adding benefits to consumers.
IDFA works closely with many agencies and organizations that regulate the production and marketing of dairy foods.
For more information, contact John Allan, IDFA vice president, regulatory affairs and international standards, at jallan@idfa.org.
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and International Standards
