Jan. 15-18 Dairy Forum 2006 La Quinta Resort, La Quinta, Calif. IDFA's premier annual meeting gathers players from all sectors of the dairy industry to discuss and debate the hottest

Just when it seemed there was no truth to rumors of a hostile takeover of French Danone by a U.S. food company, the buzz is back. Late in September more discussion surfaced, this time involving Kraft Foods and again, PepsiCo.

USDA has joined with other federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to institute new protections for the nation's food supply against terrorist threats. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says the federal agencies will work with states and private industry to improve bio-terror defenses.

Dairy processors from North American and around the world will have a chance next month to see the latest technologies and learn about major trends and issues, and they won't have to miss out on trick or treating to do so.

Cognis, a worldwide supplier of non-GMO plant sterol esters, has established a new facility at Illertissen, Germany. The company says the new plant will help it meet the growing consumer interest in healthy eating and functional foods and dietary supplements.

French stock market regulators say they have been told by U.S. soft drink company PepsiCo, it has no plans to take over French food group Danone.

Internationally renowned experts ranging from top dairy researchers and processors to leading health and nutritional specialists are presenting at the 2005 International Whey Conference in Chicago this month The conference, which ran Sept. 11-14, will be co-hosted by the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), and the European Whey Products Association (EWPA) in partnership with top international dairy consumer goods companies, including NEXT Proteins, Kraft Foods, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Fonterra Co-operative Group.

Small-scale dairy farmers in Kenya are seeking about $650,000 to revive the Kitinda dairy plant that collapsed more than a decade ago. A former Kenya Dairy Board technical mgr. told the reporters that the plant was processing at least 10,000 liters of milk before.

The International Dairy Federation has appointed Christian Robert as its new Director General.

The British Cheese Board in conjunction with the British Dental Health Foundation is working to make the connection between cheese consumption and dental health.