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American Soybean Association fights Dairy PRIDE bill

The American Soybean Association says the so-called “Dairy PRIDE” labeling bill is unnecessary.

The Dairy PRIDE bill would force the makers of plant-based alternatives like soy milk and almond milk to stop using “milk” in their name.

ASA president Ron Moore tells Brownfield consumers already know soy milk is made of soy and doesn’t come from cows.  “The soy milk label has been used in this country since 1947, so there really isn’t any confusion of the marketplace, and it’s not necessary to have this legislation put in place.”

Moore says just because other countries have labeling laws prohibiting the word “milk” from alternative products doesn’t make it a good idea here.  He also says existing labels are clear.  “People with allergies to cows milk want to be able to identify it as soy milk.”

The Soyfoods Association of North America also objects to the Dairy PRIDE bill.

The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin.  A companion bill has been introduced in the House backed by several co-authors including Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy.  It is backed by several dairy groups including the National Milk Producers Federation.