The International Dairy Journal publishes significant advancements in dairy science and technology in the form of research articles and critical reviews that are of relevance to the broader international dairy community. Within this scope, research on the science and technology of milk and dairy products and the nutritional and health aspects of dairy foods are included; the journal pays particular attention to applied research and its interface with the dairy industry.

The journal's coverage includes the following, where directly applicable to dairy science and technology:
• Chemistry and physico-chemical properties of milk constituents
• Microbiology, food safety, enzymology, biotechnology
• Processing and engineering
• Emulsion science, food structure, and texture
• Raw material quality and effect on relevant products
• Flavour and off-flavour development
• Technological functionality and applications of dairy ingredients
• Sensory and consumer sciences
• Nutrition and substantiation of human health implications of milk components or dairy products

International Dairy Journal does not publish papers related to milk production, animal health and other aspects of on-farm milk production unless there is a clear relationship to dairy technology, human health or final product quality.