Risch, Baldwin Want Dairy Industry Protection

Last week, Idaho Senator Jim Risch and Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin called for the American dairy industry to be protected.  A bipartisan group of lawmakers say they want to ensure that plant-based imitation products are not equated in upcoming dietary guideline changes.

The letter asks the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to carefully consider any changes to the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans that could add plant-based imitation products into the dairy category despite their nutritional differences.  The senators say existing research has shown that plant-based alternatives are indeed not nutritionally equivalent to dairy.  In their letter, the lawmakers said they are concerned that adding imitation products to the dairy category equates the products nutritionally, despite imitations often containing lower protein and added sugars.

“We believe that it is important that consumers understand the nutritional value of the food and beverages that they choose to purchase and consume, and that the federal dietary guidelines they may turn to reflect evidence-based science. As you consider potential updates to the DGA pertaining to dairy, we ask that you ensure sound scientific evidence to support any statements which nutritionally equate plant-based alternatives with real dairy,” the Senators continued. 

Click Here to read last week's letter.

Risch and Baldwin worked together in 2023 to introduce the DAIRY PRIDE Act to combat the practice of non-dairy products using dairy names.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com