According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. government has released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2025–2030. The document confirms the central role of dairy products in a healthy diet and recommends consuming three servings of dairy per day.
Unlike previous editions, the new guidelines explicitly recognize the appropriateness of consuming whole and full-fat dairy products, including whole milk, yogurts, cheeses, and other dairy items. The DGA emphasizes that current science does not support the need to limit the fat content of dairy products and that dairy fats can be part of a balanced diet.
The International Dairy Foods Association notes that dairy products provide 13 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, calcium, vitamins, and beneficial fats. The association highlights that the new guidelines reflect the evolution of nutrition science, which links consumption of full-fat dairy products with a neutral or reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, lower weight gain, and a reduced risk of childhood obesity.
The guidelines also emphasize the role of dairy products as an important source of protein alongside meat, eggs, and seafood. Industry representatives believe this creates a foundation for updating federal nutrition programs, including school meals and the WIC and SNAP programs, with broader access to dairy products of varying fat content.
At the same time, industry representatives draw attention to risks associated with the use of the term “ultra-processed foods.” The International Dairy Foods Association stresses that the lack of a clear scientific definition may create confusion, since many nutritious and safe products — including milk, yogurts, and cheeses — undergo technological processing to ensure quality and safety.
The National Milk Producers Federation also expressed support for the new guidelines, noting that reducing or eliminating dairy products from the diet leads to deficiencies of critically important nutrients for millions of Americans. Federation representatives expect that the updated DGA will contribute to increased dairy consumption and improved nutrition outcomes.
Overall, the 2025–2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines not only reinforce the role of dairy products as a core component of healthy eating, but also send long-term supportive signals to the dairy sector — from production to processing and marketing.
Source: DairyFoods.com
