Sponsorships Available for International Dairy Show

A variety of conference event, service and item sponsorships are now available exclusively for exhibitors at the new International Dairy Show, which is set to take place Sept. 13-15 at the Dallas Convention Center.

The 2010 International Dairy Show, presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, will feature the newest innovations in technology, packaging, ingredients and services for dairy food processors. Educational sessions will offer solutions that span the entire manufacturing process, and attendees can visit exhibits displaying everything dairy companies need to run more efficiently, create new products and improve profitability.

“Sponsorships are a great way for exhibitors to get their names in front of attendees and attract prospects to their booths, regardless of budget,” said Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show manager. “We have several different opportunities to fit the needs of every company, including the option for exhibitors to customize their own receptions to reach their target audiences.”

In addition, sponsors will receive complimentary conference registrations (amount varies per sponsorship), acknowledgement in the program and exhibit guide, the Show Daily News and on-site sponsor “thank you” signage; recognition alongside the event/service listing when promoted in official promotional print pieces or in electronic communications; placement of the sponsor’s logo with a link to its corporate Web site on the International Dairy Show Sponsor page; and the right of first refusal to renew sponsorship for the 2011 International Dairy Show.

Sponsorships available to exhibitors include receptions, educational sessions, lanyards, conference bags and more.

For more information on all of the sponsorships available, please visitwww.dairyshow.comor contact Robin Cornelison at rcornelison@idfa.org.


Avoiding Dairy Can Pose Diet, Health Risks

People may avoid milk and other dairy products due to concerns about lactose intolerance, but eliminating these nutrient-rich foods may not only be unnecessary to manage the condition, it also could impact diet and health, concludes a panel of experts assembled by the National Institutes of Health.

The NIH Consensus Development Conference on lactose intolerance and health examined the latest research on lactose intolerance, strategies to manage the condition and the health outcomes of diets that exclude dairy foods. According to the study, there are some misperceptions about lactose intolerance, including the belief that dairy foods need to be excluded from the diet.

For example, without low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products in the diet, it’s hard to meet nutrient needs, and available research suggests people with lactose intolerance can tolerate at least one cup of milk with no minor symptoms. Experts also suggest drinking low-fat or fat-free milk (regular or flavored) with meals or a snack instead of an empty stomach or trying small, frequent portions or buying lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk, which contain all the same nutrients as regular milk.

While the panel concluded that there’s insufficient evidence to determine a true prevalence of the condition, one new study suggested the age-adjusted, self-reported prevalence may be as little as 12% of the U.S. population, on average. This recent data from a national sample of three ethnic groups indicated that 7.7% of European Americans, 10.1% of Hispanic Americans and 19.5% of African Americans currently consider themselves lactose intolerant.

Beyond the recommendations of the NIH panel, several major health authorities agree that it is critical for people with lactose intolerance to consume dairy products every day to benefit from the unique nutrient profile of these foods.

For more information on this and other related studies, visitwww.NationalDairyCouncil.org.


FDA Warns Food Industry on Labeling Claims

The Food and Drug Administration recently sent warning letters regarding labeling issues to 17 food companies. FDA also released a letter to the food industry urging all companies to adhere to current regulations on trans fat claims, labeling of foods for children and health claims.

In this letter, FDA announced plans to release draft guidance on the use of dietary statements, such as “3-A-Day of Dairy.”

“In my conversations with industry leaders, I sense a strong desire within the industry for a level playing field and a commitment to producing safe, healthy products,” wrote FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. “That reinforces my belief that FDA should provide as clear and consistent guidance as possible about food labeling claims and nutrition information in general, and specifically about how the growing use of front-of-pack calorie and nutrient information can best help consumers construct healthy diets.”

According to the warning letters, FDA considers a label statement such as “0g trans fat” to be a nutrient content claim. These claims may need to be accompanied by a disclosure statement, such as “see side panel for fat content,” if the labeled product is high in fat, saturated fat, sodium or cholesterol.

FDA cautioned some companies to make only approved health claims for foods and to avoid using claims that purport to “treat, prevent or cure disease,” which are reserved for drug labels. Juice manufacturers were warned that juice products containing a blend of juices or other ingredients must be clearly labeled as such.

The agency also discussed products for children under age 2, which must be labeled appropriately for the age group and may include only a few specific nutrient content claims. Additionally, products that are branded, trademarked or labeled with the term “healthy” must meet the definition for the healthy claim.


Brazil nuts?

The Brazilian government unveiled plans to retaliate against U.S. cotton subsidies by increasing tariffs on select U.S. imports, including dairy. The plan strategically targets more than 50 U.S. products, including milk powder with less than 1.5% fat, whey powder and protein concentrates.

Without a compromise, tariffs for milk and whey powder would raise to 48%, a 45% increase over current levels. Tariffs for protein concentrates would increase to 34%, marking a 41% increase.

IDFA and other industry groups have formed the Brazil Trade Action Coalition in an effort to encourage U.S. officials to solve the dispute without harming third-party industries. The coalition has sent letters to Congressional leadership asking for a swift compromise.

Dairy exports to Brazil have grown exponentially since 2004, reaching more than $24 million in 2008.