Joseph Scimeca

Proposed cuts to WIC dairy benefits risk nutrition security

Three-in-four WIC participants are concerned with the USDA proposal, Morning Consult survey reveals.

Joseph Scimeca

February 13, 2023

Three-in-four WIC participants concerned with the USDA proposal, Morning Consult survey reveals.

IDFA: FDA’s proposed “healthy” rule falls short

FDA’s proposed “healthy” rule begins to embrace dairy, but many healthy dairy products are excluded.

Joseph Scimeca

December 13, 2022

FDA’s proposed “healthy” rule begins to embrace dairy, but many healthy dairy products are excluded.

Keep dairy a core part of school meals

IDFA is urging USDA to ensure permanent nutrient standards encourage dairy consumption.

Joseph Scimeca

April 20, 2022

A silent crisis is gripping our nation’s children. In a typical school year, more than 30 million students of all ages rely on school breakfast and lunch for their daily recommended intake of critical nutrients.

Will new leadership at FDA open the door to innovation in dairy?

Now is the time to establish greater transparency, accountability and collaboration.

Joseph Scimeca

January 14, 2022

In mid-December, the U.S. Senate presided over the confirmation hearing of Dr. Robert Califf, President Biden’s nominee to serve as commissioner of FDA.

FDA’s sodium-reduction guidance targets cheese

More reductions are likely to come.

Joseph Scimeca

November 19, 2021

In October, FDA released long-anticipated guidance on sodium-reduction targets for the food industry — a move designed to encourage the reduction of Americans’ sodium intake, which exceeds the 2,300-milligram limit recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by nearly 50%.

Back to school with low-fat flavored milk

It’s time for the USDA to implement a permanent rule allowing the nutritious product as an option in schools.

Joseph Scimeca

May 13, 2021

The USDA recently announced that schools will be able to serve low-fat flavored milk during the upcoming school year — a relief for the dairy industry and a step in the right direction for children’s nutritional needs and preference for flavored milk.

Bioengineered disclosure compliance deadline is approaching

Starting on Jan. 1, 2022, all retail food and beverage packaging, including dairy products, must comply with the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard rule.

Joseph Scimeca

January 25, 2021

While it is nearly one year away, the mandatory compliance date for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard rule is fast approaching, and it has implications across the dairy supply chain.

Here come the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans

It is important to ensure dairy continues to have a strong role in the DGAs.

Joseph Scimeca

December 1, 2020

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) are due to be released this December. Throughout the multi-year process to develop the DGAs, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and other dairy organizations and dairy companies have submitted written comments

COVID-19 and crisis planning: a learning experience

For the dairy segment, crisis management is about more than just keeping retail grocery shelves stocked.

Joseph Scimeca

May 11, 2020

While nearly seven in 10 business leaders say they have experienced at least one corporate crisis in the last five years, the coronavirus pandemic has put crisis management front and center for every business - large and small, in every industry and in every region of the country.