Cal Poly Dairy Prof Appointed to International Committee

Nov. 22, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laurie Jacobson
Cal Poly Dairy Products Technology Center
(805) 756-6097

Cal Poly Dairy Professor Appointed
To International Dairy Federation Standing Committee

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly dairy science Professor Phil Tong has been appointed to the International Dairy Federation's Standing Committee on Dairy Science and Technology. The group monitors the latest developments in technology on behalf of the world's dairy sector.

"Because of the growing globalization of the dairy sector, it's important to be actively involved in IDF," Tong said. "Participation provides key linkages to help insure that U.S. dairy products stay competitive around the world by staying at the forefront of science and technology."

According to Tong, as a country, the United States is the largest producer of cow's milk in the world. "If California was a country, it would be the world's sixth largest producer of milk in the world. Because of the size and scope of the U.S. dairy industry, its decisions on technology, marketing policies and business practices can have ramifications on global dairy markets."

The United States has also become a global supplier of dairy ingredients and is increasing its cheese exports also.

"The United States is the largest supplier of whey ingredients to the world, and increasingly it is adding global market share in milk powder and cheese products" said Matt McKnight, director, Ingredients Marketing, United States Dairy Export Council. "In 2003 alone the United States exported 1.1-billion pounds of dairy solids, valued at approximately $1 billion, to Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America."

Tong, a resident of San Luis Obispo, is the director of the Cal Poly Dairy Ingredients Applications Program in the Dairy Products Technology Center. "I'm excited about serving on this IDF committee to gain a broader international perspective and establish stronger working relationships that can facilitate scientific and technological exchange to benefit the United States and the dairy sector worldwide," Tong said.

For more information, contact Laurie Jacobson at Cal Poly's Dairy Products Technology Center at (805) 756-6097 or ljacobso@calpoly.edu.

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About Cal Poly's Dairy Products Technology Center:
The Cal Poly Dairy Products Technology Center was established in 1986 as a program within the university's College of Agriculture, It conducts education, research and outreach activities to provide solutions to help manage risk, facilitate innovation, and defend equity in the dairy-foods industry and related business sectors. For more information visit the web site at www.calpoly.edu/~dptc.

About the International Dairy Federation:
The IDF was founded in 1903 by the worldwide dairy sector to amplify interchange of experience and ideas among dairy experts in all disciplines. It has 41 member countries, composed of leaders from industry, government and academia who are involved in all facets of milk and dairy foods. Its membership represents more than 70 percent of the world's milk production. IDF cooperates with the Codex Alimentarius Commission and in particular the Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products, the International Organization for Standardization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organization for Animal health, the World Health Organization the International Federation for Agricultural Producers the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and with many other international bodies at governmental and non-governmental level.