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Crackdown on imitation milk labels proposed

Imitation milk products will need label changes under legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate today.

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to be called something besides milk, yogurt, or cheese.

Baldwin says, “Imitation products have gotten away with using dairy’s good name for their own benefit.” She says mislabeling of plant-based products as ‘milk’ hurts U.S. dairy farmers.

The dairy industry strongly supports the bill. They have argued that milk substitutes using dairy terms – like soy milk – violate Food and Drug Administration guidelines, but there is no enforcement of current food label regulations.

If passed, the DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days. The FDA would also have to update Congress on its progress in two years.

The DAIRY PRIDE Act is an acronym.  It is also known as The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act.  It is Senate Bill 130.  The text of the bill can be found here.