IDF Leaders BriefIssue 19 – October 2013

Codex Alimentarius Commission The 36th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted several new international standards and other texts of key importance to the global dairy sector, to which IDF had made a significant contribution by providing technical expertise. Examples include:

Revised Guidelines on Formulated Supplementary Foods for Older Infants and Young Children Recognizing its importance for the health of infants and young children, IDF has supported the revision of the guidance document by providing technical expertise to the Codex nutrition committee. The new guidelines reference the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) as a tool for evaluating protein quality. IDF supports the concept of determining protein quality according to latest scientific findings and methodology. In partnership with the Global Dairy Platform (GDP), IDF will continue its efforts to gain full recognition of the new improved methodology, Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS).

Revised Codex Principles and Guidelines for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological CriteriaThe revision was initiated to reflect the rapid development of food safety management systems and in particular microbiological risk management metrics. IDF was appointed mentor for the development of an example of a Microbiological Criterion for verifying the performance of a HACCP system by food business operators. The adopted revised document is a robust legal basis for ensuring consumer protection with regard to dairy products and beyond.

Protection of dairy termsIDF has also actively contributed to the Codex Commission debate on the labeling of Non Fermented Soybean Products as had been proposed by the Codex regional committee for Asia (CCASIA). Based on the interventions of government delegations from IDF member countries and others expressing their concern about the use of the term “soybean milk” as the name for the products concerned, the Codex Commission decided that CCASIA must address this issue as it continues to further develop the relevant regional standard.

Codex standards are available at: www.codexalimentarius.org/standards/en/

Scientific excellence Industry applicability Strategic networking Global influence

New Dairy Standard will Improve Accuracy of Millions of Milk Tests Performed Every Day

Joint work between ISO and IDF has resulted in an important update of a key analytical standard for the global dairy sector.

ISO 9622|IDF 141 contains guidelines for the testing of milk and milk products with mid-infrared instruments.

Further details available in this IDF/ISO Press Release

Purchase standard at www.fil-idf.org

In this issueCodex Alimentarius Commission

Expert Views: Maintaining Health with Nutrient Rich Diets

GDAA Reporting Session at the IDF World Dairy Summit 2013

IDF Carbon and Water Footprinting Guides

IDF World Dairy Situation 2013

IDF and seven other dairy organizations from around the world coordinated a symposium on “Maintaining health

with nutrient rich diets: The role of dairy in prevention of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and sarcopenia” to demonstrate the tangible nutritional benefits of dairy. The symposium took place in Granada, Spain, on 19 September, in conjunction with the 20th International Union of Nutritional Science (IUNS) Congress of Nutrition. Highlights from the speakers below.

Dairy’s nutrient rich packageYou say that “milk intake is a marker of a healthy diet”, how is this the case?When diet quality is evaluated according to the Healthy Eating Index or by 9 nutrients known to be short in diets, milk or milk products consumption are predictors of total diet quality. This is because milk is such a good source of essential nutrients that diets increase in overall quality with increasing milk/yogurt consumption.

You’ve also described potassium as an ‘understudied’ essential nutrient. What can be done?

The main outcome that was used to set the recommended intakes for potassium was related to its effect on lowering blood pressure. More recent evidence also shows a benefit to bone health as well as CVD. We are doing the first potassium bioavailability study in any food, currently potatoes, but we need to test milk and other important sources. We need more RCTs [Randomized Controlled Tests] of potassium and many health outcomes in various age groups.

Why is it important to promote dairy intake at the IUNS congress?

There are only two foods that provide all of the essential nutrients for growth: milk and eggs. With the egg consumption declining since cholesterol became of concern, milk and dairy products are extremely important in providing sufficient nutrients.

Dairy, metabolic syndrome and blood pressure: evidence from the third French MONICA population studyWhat is the MONICA project? The MONICA project (MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular diseases) was initiated by the World Health Organization and conducted from 1985-1995. 37 MONICA centres were opened, mainly in Europe, aimed at monitoring trends in coronary heart disease incidence.

The last population survey conducted in 1995-1996 in the three French MONICA centres included a nutritional sub-study that recorded food and beverage consumption in participants over three consecutive days.

What have the results shown so far?The analysis of the nutritional data from the last French population survey has identified several dietary patterns associated with a lower all-cause mortality during the 14-year follow-up period. Among them, a higher consumption of milk, fruits, vegetables and cereals was associated with lower rates of mortality, while excessive alcohol consumption and high salt intake were associated with higher rates. More generally, diversified dietary patterns were associated with a lower mortality.

What role can dairy products play in maintaining good cardiovascular health?Among the components of dairy products, calcium, and probably some milk proteins, exhibits a blood pressure lowering effect. Calcium is also implicated in intestinal fat absorption.

Data from epidemiological studies have shown that people consuming higher levels of dairy products are generally less likely to develop high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome or diabetes. Besides, review of the literature and meta-analyses suggest a small but significant lower risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke in people with the highest dairy consumption. However, clinical trials are lacking to assess a causal impact of dairy products in the reduction in the risk of further cardiovascular events.

Prof. Connie Weaver, Purdue University (US)

Prof. Vanina Bongard, Toulouse University (FR)

“Milk intake is a marker of a healthy diet”

Panel from left to right: Prof. L. van Loon, Prof. C. Weaver (Speaker and Symposium Chair), S. Oude Elferink (Co-chair), Prof. M. Kratz, Prof. V. Bongard

Expert Views: Maintaining Health with Nutrient Rich Diets

IDF Leaders Br ief I ssue 19 – October 2013

Full details are available from the IDF Dairy Nutrition Website: www.idfdairynutrition.org

IDF Leaders Br ief I ssue 19 – October 2013

The relationship between high-fat dairy and obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseaseWhat were the objectives of a systematic review into the relationship between high-fat dairy and obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disease?We aimed to provide an overview of the extensive literature on the association between dairy fat/full fat dairy and obesity, as well as cardiometabolic disease. A primary motivation was to show that the current recommendation to consume low-fat dairy products to reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease is not supported by the epidemiological evidence. In fact, the majority of studies suggest either no difference between low-fat and full-fat dairy products, or even a lower risk in individuals consuming full-fat dairy products.

Based on your study would you advise low fat dairy consumption over high fat dairy consumption?We concluded that the current evidence from observational studies does not support the current recommendation to prefer low-fat over full-fat dairy products. However, we were very cautious not to make any recommendations as our review focused on observational studies. These data do suggest, however, that there may be benefits to full-fat dairy that have not been sufficiently appreciated by the scientific community or the public.

Is there scope for further research?The scientific community has focused heavily on dairy fat as a source of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, both known to increase the LDL- to HDL-cholesterol ratio that is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It is now well understood, however, that the differences between saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids with regards to this ratio are rather small. Further, the majority of fatty acids in dairy are not the kind that raises LDL-cholesterol. In fact, dairy fat contains around 400 different fatty acids, many of which constitute only a very small portion of the total fat. New data suggest that some of these ‘minor’ fatty acids may have specific, hormone-like effects on our body.

Dairy protein and muscle mass maintenance in the elderly: preventing sarcopeniaWhat causes sarcopenia?The term sarcopenia is generally used to describe the loss of muscle mass and strength with aging. Recent studies suggest that a reduced sensitivity of the skeletal muscle tissue to the anabolic properties of food intake, coined anabolic resistance, contributes substantially to the loss of muscle mass with aging.

In your research into therapeutic strategies to prevent or counteract sarcopenia, what is most important?A more active lifestyle and a diet sufficient in protein are prerequisite. Resistance type exercise training has been shown to be very feasible and effective to substantially increase muscle mass and strength in the older population. Dietary protein supplementation can augment the benefits of exercise training, leading to greater gains in muscle mass and strength.

Do you think dietary protein quality plays a role in therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia?We, and many others, have shown that protein digestion and absorption kinetics as well as the amino acid composition play an important role in the capacity of various protein sources to stimulate post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates. Dietary proteins that are rapidly digested and absorbed, and contain a high leucine content (such as whey protein), seem to elicit a stronger post-prandial muscle protein synthetic response.

How can dairy be part of the solution of sarcopenia?Whey protein, casein protein, and overall milk protein represent high quality protein sources that can strongly stimulate post-prandial as well as post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in older individuals. Supplementing milk protein during prolonged resistance type exercise training has been shown to increase the gain in both muscle mass and strength.

Prof. Mario Kratz, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre (US)

Prof. L.J.C. van Loon, Maastricht University (NL)

International Dairy Federation www.fil-idf.org70/B Boulevard Auguste Reyers 1030 Brussels, BelgiumTel.: +32 2 325 67 40Email: info@fil-idf.org

IDF World Dairy Situation 2013Having a comprehensive understanding of global demand and supply trends, and the wide range of policy and economic factors that influence them, is essential for the both the industry and policy makers alike. The World Dairy Situation report produced annually by the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Policies and Economics is a major contribution toward that objective, as part of fulfilling the IDF’s mission to represent and support the dairy industry globally.

A preview of this year’s report will be presented at the IDF World Dairy Summit during the Dairy Policies and Economics conference on 29 October. The report will soon be available for purchase from the IDF website.

Full conference programme available here: http://www.wds2013.com/eng/p_conference2.html

Carbon and Water Footprint Guides‘A common carbon footprint approach for the dairy sector: The IDF guide to standard life cycle assessment methodology’ is being reviewed to capture the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field.

In the context of global water scarcity and food security concerns, water footprinting has emerged as an important sustainability indicator in the agricultural and food sectors. IDF is working to develop common guidance that can be used to establish benchmarks and develop strategies to improve water resource management.

A presentation of both sets of guidance will be given during the IDF World Dairy Summit Environment Conference on 1 November from 8:30-15:30 in Yokohama, Japan.

GDAA Reporting Session 2013

The Global Dairy Agenda for Action (GDAA) session, taking place on 28 October at the IDF World Dairy Summit, will address the global dairy sector’s efforts to meet the needs of a growing population with higher demands for food.

It is clear that meeting this challenge will require the sector to produce more while optimizing use of inputs such as raw materials and energy. As it is committed to continuously improve sustainable performance throughout the value chain, the sector is dedicated to providing high-quality, nutritious and delicious products while using land, water, feed, fuel and fertilizer more efficiently, with a focus on reducing emissions and solid waste, maintaining water quality, soil health, and biodiversity.

To this end, the GDAA Reporting Session will detail the collaborative efforts to date of the global dairy sector to develop a shared position on sustainability. It will also provide a first look at the global Dairy Sustainability Framework that has resulted from

the work of a multi-stakeholder team and how it is designed to complement existing activities at all levels across the dairy value chain.

IDF Leaders Br ief I ssue 19 – October 2013