Due to recent federal funding cuts, a pivotal public health program, the SNAP-Ed nutrition education and obesity prevention grant, known as CalFresh Healthy Living in California, is ending. This loss will impact funding to hundreds of organizations, including schools, cooperative extension offices and local health departments that implement nutrition education and support healthy food environments. Elimination of the CalFresh Healthy Living grant is in addition to new SNAP rules that may put more families at risk of being food insecure.
As these programs shift, we are actively exploring opportunities to close existing gaps through strategic partnerships and education. By co-creating solutions with local partners across California, we hope to ensure that science-based nutrition education can continue to reach children and families, especially those with limited food budgets. Our goal is to promote the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as a part of healthy eating patterns and reinforce their essential role in supporting nutrition security.
With heartfelt appreciation, we thank the dairy community for supporting nutrition education. Your dedication makes a lasting difference in the lives of families and nourishes healthier futures across California.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a joint Request for Information to gather data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods in the U.S. food supply. Recent state-level definition proposals, including California’s, highlight the need for a uniform definition to allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) announced a joint Request for Information to gather data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods in the U.S. food supply. Recent state-level definition proposals, including California’s, highlight
the need for a uniform definition to allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
We encourage members of the dairy community to get involved and share their input through the public comment process. Dairy Council of California intends to submit public comments and will share messaging with the dairy community to support your efforts. Our team has developed an informative handout to help navigate the scientific evidence on food processing and health to make informed food and nutrition policies. You can download the handout here.
The public comment period is open until Sept. 23, 2025. Comments may be submitted online or mailed to Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans for a large-scale restructuring, which includes closing several Washington, D.C., buildings and shifting much of USDA’s district staff to five offices around the country. USDA has opened a public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the department’s reorganization plan. If you are interested in sharing your insights, email reorganization@usda.gov. The comment period is open through Aug. 26, 2025.
FDA announced it is revoking, or proposing to revoke, 52 food standards after concluding they are obsolete and unnecessary. The announcement includes a proposed rule that would revoke standards for 18 types of dairy products, including certain milk and cream products, cheeses and related cheese products and frozen desserts. If you are interested in sharing your insights, you can submit comments to the FDA here by Sept. 15, 2025.
IDFA Commitment to Eliminate Certified Artificial
Colors From Ice Cream ProductsThe International Dairy Foods Association announced a commitment to eliminate artificial food dyes (i.e., Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6) from ice creams and other frozen dairy desserts by 2028. Read more about the commitment here.
World School Milk Day: We’re Celebrating—Join Us!World School Milk Day is Sept. 24! This year, Dairy Council of California is celebrating the essential role school milk plays in helping students learn, grow and thrive. Through our School Milk Shoutout campaign, we’ll be highlighting how school foodservice professionals champion milk daily—by ensuring it’s offered as part of nutritious school meals, fostering healthy patterns for life.
We’re also excited to mark the day with a special Spanish-language virtual field trip, engaging students and families in a fun, educational experience that connects milk from farm to school. How will you celebrate?
California Cattle Council Back-to-Session Event on School NutritionThe California Cattle Council will be hosting an interactive back-to-session event on school nutrition for legislators and their staff at the state Capitol on Aug. 18. Dairy Council of California will be participating, along with the California Beef Council, California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative and California School Nutrition Association.
The event will focus on the vital role of California’s beef and dairy producers and processors in local school meal programs and the resulting impact on nutrition, student success and community resilience throughout the state.
If you have questions, concerns or feedback you would like to share, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,