Cheesemakers in the United States producing specific varieties of cheese, including cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan and pasteurized process cheese, must adhere to FDA’s food standards of identity.
For many years, dairy products have played an important role in healthy, balanced diets for people around the world. But over the past few decades, a decline in milk consumption has coincided with an explosion in beverage choices, as well as consumer questions about the healthfulness of dairy products.
With the right approach and focus, the agency’s comprehensive initiative will provide the updates companies need to innovate and meet the tastes of today’s consumers.
Consumers walking down the dairy aisle have their choice of many different brands and products, from traditional favorites to new offerings with novel tastes, textures, flavors and nutritional content. When they're making purchase decisions, product labels matter.
Consumers are demanding more information about how their food is produced so they can make informed choices about what to eat and what to feed their families. Top of mind for some consumers is whether the food or its ingredients were derived from bioengineered (BE) crops, also known as genetically engineered or genetically modified (GM) crops.
The rules of engaging regulators have shifted in the Trump administration, offering new channels and increased access that create a better regulatory environment for both consumers and industry. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) quickly recognized this environment as an opportunity for a new approach. We intensified ongoing efforts to gain regulatory revisions - and, in some cases, relief - with significant results.
Dairies must prepare now for the sweeping changes that will require new nutrition facts labels by 2018. An estimated 800,000-plus labels will need to change to meet the FDA’s new regulations.
While the new DGA support reduced-fat dairy foods, the nutrition standards for federal feeding programs may be too strict. Changes have narrowed the types of milk that can be offered in schools.
Dairy processors can help by supplying nutrition information and being prepared for requests for label or formulation changes from restaurants and vending machine operators.