A bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. Senate to change labeling guidelines for cheese. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, along with Idaho senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo have co-sponsored the Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions, or CURD Act. The legislation creates an official definition for “natural cheese”, as produced from animal milk or other dairy ingredients in accordance with established cheese-making practices.  

 

“Oregonians are proud of our state’s world renown high-quality cheese,” Wyden said. “The CURD Act will ensure that cheese consumers nationwide understand how the cheese they’re buying at their local supermarket is produced—which will highlight Oregon’s delicious natural cheese products.” 

 

“Dairy is Idaho’s top agriculture industry, and protecting the integrity of our farmers, producers and their products is a top priority,” Crapo noted.  “The CURD Act ensures customers receive accurately labeled ‘natural cheese’, so they can make informed decisions at the grocery store.” 

 

“Mislabeling is a big issue for Idaho’s dairy industry and cheese is no exception," Risch said.  “The CURD Act will provide certainty and clarity for consumers by ensuring cheese made from Idaho dairies, instead of a compilation of fillers, is labeled as ‘natural cheese’.” 

 

Other senators supporting the legislation include Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, Mike Braun from Indiana and Vermont’s Peter Welch.

 

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