U.S. Dairy Community Announces Launch of Latin American Dairy Nutrition Congress
CONTACTS:
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Luke Waring, USDEC |
World-class program to unite academic leaders from top universities in the U.S. and Latin America around science-based solutions to advance dairy’s role in public health and nutrition.
ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and National Dairy Council (NDC) today announced the launch of the inaugural Latin American Congress on Dairy Nutrition (NutriLact). This new international forum brings together leading scientists, researchers, health professionals, and policymakers from top universities and institutions across the United States and Latin America, including Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Pan-American Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and key universities around the world.
Taking place February 25–26, 2026, in Lima, Peru, the Congress will focus on the role of dairy foods in supporting healthier diets across the lifespan, at a time when many Latin American countries are working to address both nutrient deficiencies and rising rates of diet-related chronic disease.
“Bringing scientists from across the Americas together in one place is critical to advancing practical, science-based nutrition solutions,” said Krysta Harden, USDEC President and CEO. “We are proud to help convene this Congress, which will facilitate meaningful conversations on how dairy can support health and nutrition goals throughout Latin America.”
The Congress program was developed by NDC and USDEC working in collaboration with an independent Scientific Advisory Committee, made up of respected researchers from universities and research institutions in the U.S. and Latin America. The agenda was curated to ensure discussions are grounded in the latest science and relevant to real-world nutrition policy and practice.
“This Congress reflects a significant collaborative effort across the U.S. dairy community,” said Katie Brown, NDC President. “From establishing the Scientific Advisory Committee to securing highly respected medical and health experts and planning for the follow-on engagement with the attendees post Congress, our teams and partners have worked closely to build a program that delivers real value for Congress attendees.”
The Congress will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, and interactive exchanges among researchers, clinicians, and nutrition leaders from across the region, on topics ranging from maternal and child health to cardiometabolic wellbeing and nutrition.
USDEC’s Jaime Castaneda, who co-Chaired the organization of the Congress together with Shawna Morris, said, “This Congress is not intended to be a one-off event, but the beginning of an ongoing regional conversation with health policymakers, practitioners, and researchers on the potential of dairy products to address issues that are fundamental to the health and prosperity of Latin America.”
For more information, visit www.nutrilactcongress.org.
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The U.S. Dairy Export Council is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products. USDEC accomplishes this through programs in market development that build global demand for U.S. dairy products, resolve market access barriers and advance industry trade policy goals. USDEC is supported by staff across the United States and overseas in Mexico, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe. The U.S. Dairy Export Council prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, marital status, military status, and arrest or conviction record. www.usdec.org.