Dear Friend,
As we embrace our various traditions to celebrate the holiday season, I continue to be grateful for the dairy community and look toward the hope that a new year brings. I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season filled with peace, love, family and friends.
In the spirit of advancing dairy in healthy, sustainable eating patterns, here are some nutrition regulatory updates to keep you informed. ’Tis the season.
Announcement of California Methane Reduction Efforts at COP28
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, California officially launched the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, which creates a partnership of subnational governments that are committed to reducing methane. California set a goal to reduce 40% of its methane emissions by 2030 in comparison to 2013 levels and is leading the country with innovative solutions. California Air Resources Board, California Environmental Protection Agency, California Natural Resources Agency and California Department of Food and Agriculture continue to collaborate in the state’s international engagements on methane.
Read more about the initiative here.
Resources for Climate-Smart School Meals at COP28
In anticipation of a focus on climate-smart school meals at COP28, the International Dairy Federation developed the fact sheet School Meal Programmes the Role of Dairy: An Essential Contributor to Nutrition Security. In addition, the UN Food Systems Summit’s School Meals Coalition has drafted an evidence-led white paper to look at how school meals can play a role in the transformation toward healthier, more sustainable and more equitable food systems globally.
The final version of the white paper can be found here.
New WHO Guideline for Complementary Feeding
In October, the World Health Organization (WHO) released WHO Guideline for Complementary Feeding of Infants and Young Children 6–23 Months of Age, and in early December it conducted a webinar to provide an overview of the guideline and discuss future steps for policies. You can watch the recording here. The guideline recognized the value of animal source foods, including dairy, for complementary feeding of infants and included recommending animal milk at 6 months of age for non-breastfed infants. While this guidance is meant to be used globally, noting that countries vary in income level and malnutrition risk, it presents support for nutrient-dense dairy and animal source foods to nourish babies during this critical growth and development period.
USDA Announces Opening of Application Period for Regional Agricultural Promotion Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the first round of funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). USDA is providing up to $300 million in funding in its first year to support eligible projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets. Applications are due on Feb. 2, 2024. Additional information on RAPP is available at grants.gov.
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
The House of Representatives will soon vote on a bipartisan bill that would reintroduce whole (3.25% milkfat) and reduced-fat (2% milkfat) milks to school cafeterias. To learn more about the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act visit the International Dairy Foods Association website.
Strategies to Reduce Consumption of Added Sugars
In November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with other federal partners, hosted a virtual public meeting followed by virtual public listening sessions to discuss strategies for reducing consumption of added sugars in the United States. There is still time for members of the dairy community to share their voice and comment on the innovations that have been made in reducing added sugars, such as with flavored milk in schools. You may submit comments to docket FDA-2023-N-3849 on or before January 22, 2024, by visiting regulations.gov. A recording of the virtual meeting and listening sessions is available on the meeting page.
Spotlight on Dairy Nutrition Research and Media