World dairy summit highlights innovation, Chinese company wins innovation awards

CHICAGO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit kicked off at the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago, U.S. state of Illinois, on Monday.

The IDF World Dairy Summit is the largest conference of the dairy industry in the world. The theme of this year's meeting, which runs from Monday to Thursday, is "Boundless Potential, Endless Possibilities."

Addressing the opening ceremony, IDF President Piercristiano Brazzale stressed the importance of innovation. "Innovation is all about introducing novel approach to designing, producing and marketing goods and services that create positive change. It is the driving force that opens us forward and allows us to remain at the forefront in our field."

Innovation can "steer our sector towards greater sources and resilience," he said.

"Globalization is pushing daily companies to explore creative strategies to drive in global markets," Brazzale said, adding that IDF's dedication is to guarantee food safety.

Chinese Yili Group Ltd. was awarded the "Innovation in New Product Development with Focus on Food Safety and Consumer Nutrition" award and the "Innovation in Sustainable Packaging" award at the opening ceremony.

"The innovation and sustainability aspect Yili is bringing to the market is extremely impressive," said Richard Walton, an IDF judge for innovation award, holding a Yili milk box. "It is a beautiful packaging, no ink as I understand. And beyond it, recyclable."

Walton was particularly impressed with Yili's cheese lollipop. It "was an amazing idea which I've never even imagined before," he noted, adding that Yili's innovation has brought dairy goodness and even probiotics to areas where they were not available before.

"Innovation is key to high-quality development of dairy industry," said Yili Vice President Yun Zhanyou in his acknowledgement remarks. "Yili will be customer-focused, and innovation-led in creating more development opportunities for world diary industry."

Representatives from more than 30 countries voted and elected Yun to the Board of IDF, making him the sole IDF board member from China.

During the four-day meeting, dairy experts and professionals from around the world will explore such topics as dairy innovation, sustainable development, inspiration and being together for challenges.