For the last 120 years, IDF has contributed to the development of standards for the dairy sector and has closely collaborated with key stakeholders to share its expertise for milk and dairy products, with safe, sustainable and fair-trade practices at heart.
Helping to nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy.
ensures the best scientific expertise is used to support high quality milk and
nutritious, safe and sustainable dairy products.
IDF pillars
Standards
Nutrition & Health
Sustainability
Safety & Quality
Our Work
Dairy & sustainable development goals
The dairy sector is an essential contributor to the UN sustainable development goals.
While the sector has obvious impacts on ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving the nutritional value of diets in a sustainable manner, the sector also has an important part to play in the achievement of many of the other sustainability goals identified.
For more information on the dairy sector’s commitment to the sustainable development goals, including case studies and other information, visit the website of the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam.
IDF Membership
IDF’s membership is made up of National Committees, constituted by dairy organizations in each country and representing as fully as possible the various dairying activities of the country (such as milk production, manufacture, distribution, technology, science, human nutrition, marketing, economics, education and administration).
It is estimated that 12-14% of the world population live on dairy farms or within dairy farming households
More than 6 billion people worldwide consume milk and milk products
At least 160 million children around the world currently receive and benefit from receiving milk at school
World milk production is expected to grow 1.7% p.a. reaching approximately 981 Mt by 2028
Milk and dairy foods are important sources of several nutrients that contribute to health and a well-balanced diet.
The dairy sector benefits from IDF/ISO’s unique collaboration to provide standards for methods of analysis and sampling
Featured publications
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Factsheet of the IDF 32/2023: Executive Summary of IDF Country Update – Decemb...
Members of the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Policy and Economics and the Standing Committee on Marketing up....
The IDF Milking Technologies Symposium 2023 - Watch again on Demand...
Session 1: Milking machine technology: design, efficiency and testing This session will delve into the intrica....
Issue 1: IDF Women in Dairy Report 2023 - Unlocking Endless Potential...
This report is a testimony of existing practices around the world to empower women in the dairy sector. Helpin....
Bulletin of the IDF N° 526/2023: Prevention of the development of chlorate in t...
Chlorate is an issue of concern for internationally traded foods because of strict regulatory requirements wit....
Latest news & events
A Farewell Message from Caroline Emond, First Fema...
While I am preparing to say goodbye in few days, I would like to share some thoughts with you. During my tenure as IDF DG, I have travelled around....
IDF Cheese Science & Technology Symposium: Le...
Sustainability is very much on everyone’s lips these days and, as Chairman of the Scientific Committee, I am pleased to say that our session on....
IDF Announces The Appointment Of A New Director Ge...
The Board of Directors of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) announces the appointment of Ms Laurence Rycken as new Director General as of 1....
IDF organized its 3rd annual International Women...
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) marked International Women’s Day with its third annual webinar. The event brought together a diverse....