Virtual event on May 20 to bring together global experts on nutrition, food systems, and health
April 11, 2025 – The International Dairy Federation (IDF) will host the fifth edition of its Nutrition and Health Symposium on May 20, 2025, with a timely focus on the evolving relationship between dairy and plant-based foods in global diets. Held online and free to attend, the event targets nutritionists, health professionals, and food system stakeholders navigating the nutritional and health implications of shifting food consumption patterns.
Registration opens on April 28, with the full program and speaker list now confirmed.
With rising interest in plant-forward diets—driven by environmental, ethical, and perceived health motivations—this year’s symposium will offer science-based insights into the nutritional trade-offs between dairy and plant-sourced foods. Topics include nutrient bioavailability, protein digestibility, allergy management, and the health consequences of reducing animal-sourced foods.
“This conversation is more relevant than ever. As global diets evolve, we must ensure that nutrition and health outcomes remain front and center,” said Laurence Rycken, Director General of IDF, in her welcome address.
Key Sessions and Speakers
The symposium will feature two identical live sessions to accommodate global time zones (07:00 and 16:00 CEST), each beginning with opening remarks by Dr Lynnette Neufeld, Director of the Food and Nutrition Division at the FAO.
Highlighted sessions include:
- Balancing Sustainability and Nutrition
Dr Ty Beal, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) - Nutritional Differences Between Milk and Plant-Based Beverages
Prof. Hassan Vatanparast, University of Saskatchewan, Canada - Evaluating Bioaccessible Calcium in Plant-Based Sources
Dr Molly Muleya, Nottingham University, UK - Protein Quality in Plant-Rich Diets
Dr Suzanne Hodgkinson, Massey University, New Zealand - Managing Cow’s Milk Allergy in 2025
Prof. Carina Venter, University of Colorado, USA - The Japanese Experience: Dairy and Plant Foods in National Nutrition
Prof. Seiichiro Aoe, Otsuma Women’s University, Japan
Each session will conclude with a panel discussion featuring international researchers and clinicians offering regional perspectives and practical insights.
Global Accessibility
To ensure maximum global participation, the symposium will run two live sessions and share recordings for on-demand access. Timings are optimized across continents—from Wellington at 17:00 NZST to Chicago at 09:00 CDT—to support participants from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Why This Matters
As policymakers, clinicians, and consumers make decisions about diet and health, the quality and reliability of nutritional information have never been more critical. With evidence often blurred by advocacy or marketing, the IDF Symposium aims to provide a neutral, science-driven platform to clarify facts and support informed dietary choices.
This event is expected to influence policy debates, product development, and public health strategies in a rapidly diversifying food environment.
For more information and to register, visit the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium 2025 webpage (link available from April 28).
