Updates on Avian Influenza, FDA Sodium Targets & More

Dear Friend,

This edition of Elevated News includes relevant and timely updates for the dairy community that include both challenges and opportunities in the current environment. We continue to recognize the collaboration, resilience and innovation of the dairy community as we collectively work to amplify dairy’s commitment to healthy, sustainable food systems.

CDFA Updates on Avian Influenza

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as HPAI, has been confirmed in three California dairy herds. The affected farms in the Central Valley have been quarantined under the authority of CDFA’s state veterinarian, and enhanced biosecurity measures are in place. The safety of milk and dairy foods has been reaffirmed, as shared in CDFA’s recent news release:

• California’s supply of milk and dairy foods is safe and has not been impacted by these events. As a precaution, and according to longstanding state and federal requirements, milk from sick cows is not permitted in the public milk supply. 
• Pasteurization of milk is fully effective at inactivating the virus, so there is no cause for concern for consumers from milk or dairy products. Pasteurized milk and dairy items, as well as properly handled meat and eggs, continue to be safe to consume. 

This evolving situation may impact some of Dairy Council of California’s programs, and we are collaborating closely with dairy community partners and state agency officials to coordinate our efforts and adhere to updated guidance. As a precaution, all Mobile Dairy Classroom (MDC) locations in the Central Valley will be canceled for the remainder of the week pending further guidance from CDFA. As the situation and response is ongoing, Dairy Council of CA will continue to follow the direction of CDFA and the state veterinarian to remain in compliance. Virtual MDC field trips will be offered when in-person assemblies are not possible.   

For the most up-to-date information regarding HPAI in livestock in California, please visit CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock. 

HPAI Cattle Industry Update and Q&A with State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones

Thursday, September 5 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. (or longer as needed) 

Agenda: 

1. Situation update
2. What we are seeing; clinical signs to look for
3. Biosecurity issues 
4. Employee protection; what to expect from Health Dept; ordering PPE
5. Where to find what federal support is available; how to ask 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81603784468 
Meeting ID: 816 0378 4468 
Passcode: HPAI2024! 
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbArpKzF7Y

CDFA Hearing on Dairy Quota

As recently shared in AgAlert.com, a public hearing on the state dairy quota implementation plan, or QIP, will be held Sept. 9 beginning at 10 a.m. All California dairy farmers and interested individuals may sign up to testify at the hearing.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84248601086  
Meeting ID: 842 4860 1086 
Passcode: 4^5WBjb* 

Join by Telephone: 669-444-9171
Meeting ID: 842 4860 1086
Passcode: 04670783 

FDA Sodium Reduction Targets: Dairy Is Making Strong Progress Toward Goals

In addition to the release of the proposed Phase II targets, the FDA also shared a preliminary assessment of progress in meeting the Phase I sodium reduction goals. Here are a few key highlights: 

• FDA’s preliminary assessment indicates 40% of food categories have achieved, or are close to achieving, the Phase I sodium targets. FDA has called the preliminary results “encouraging.” 
• Dairy is making strong strides in sodium reduction. Dairy was listed as the second-best performing category for sodium reduction in FDA’s assessment, with 67% of the category reducing sodium content since 2010. The dairy industry should be proud of this achievement! 

For Phase II, the FDA has proposed making many of the dairy (cheese) sodium targets more restrictive, but it has also proposed making about a third more lenient. More details on the proposed targets can be found in FDA’s Draft Guidance for Industry document.  

The FDA’s sodium reduction targets, while voluntary, are influential in informing other policies. By reformulating products to meet the FDA sodium targets, companies can ensure their products also comply with other federal nutrition policies. FDA is accepting comments on the proposed Phase II targets. The dairy community is encouraged to share success, perspectives and insights during the public comment period. All comments should be identified with docket number FDA-2014-D-0055 and submitted by November 14, 2024.  

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Updates: Register to View Meeting #6 

Registration for the next Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) meeting is now live: 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: Meeting 6. The meeting will be held the following dates and times: 

• Wednesday, September 25: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET 
• Thursday, September 26: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. ET 

Looking ahead, there will be one final DGAC meeting held October 21–22. During this meeting, the committee will provide an overview and “discuss its findings and advice it plans to include in its scientific report before the report is submitted to HHS and USDA.”  It is possible that the 2025 Scientific Report will be released to the public in mid-November.  

FRISBE Survey: Exploring Farmers’ Perception and Behavior Toward Changes in Climate

The Reinforcing Climate Risk Management from Farmers’ Behavior and User-Driven Indicators (FRISBE project) is gathering farmers’ knowledge on climate variability and its effects on crops and livestock. Coordinated by Professor Alvar Escriva-Bou (University of California, Los Angeles) and Professor Sandra Ricart (Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy), the online survey aims to capture farmers’ experiences and expertise on perceived impacts, implemented adaptation measures and identified barriers. The information will be utilized to enhance the understanding of farmers’ perspectives and needs. 

Farmers are invited to participate in the FRISBE project through this online survey, which should take no more than 10–12 minutes: https://forms.office.https://forms.office.com/e/yZr0Fzgw1g

Recently Published: Advancing the Dairy Matrix  

We are excited to announce a new publication that exemplifies a remarkable international effort brought together by the International Dairy Federation (IDF). Recently published in the journal Nutrients, “The Dairy Matrix: Its Importance, Definition, and Current Application in the Context of Nutrition and Health" reinforces these important concepts:  

• There is a shift from focusing on single nutrients to examining how entire foods and dietary patterns affect health outcomes.
• Foods are more than the sum of their nutrients, highlighting dairy foods’ unique structure and health effects.
• Harmonizing definitions can enhance communication and consistency worldwide. 
  • The “dairy matrix” describes the unique structure of a dairy food, its components and how they interact.
  • “Dairy matrix health effects” refers to the impact of a dairy food on health that extends beyond its individual components.
• Insights into the dairy matrix can help shape evidence-based policies that improve nutrition and health outcomes. 

Congratulations to IDF and the team of international dairy nutrition experts, including Dairy Council of CA Officer of Nutrition & Industry Affairs Ashley Rosales, for this timely publication. 

If you have questions, concerns or feedback you would like to share, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Amy DeLisio, CEO
Dairy Council of California
adelisio@DairyCouncilofCA.org