Spending Bill Includes Victory for Milk Labeling Standards

The omnibus budget bill signed by President Trump on Friday included language regarding milk labeling.  The bill directs the FDA to take action against mislabeled imitation dairy foods, a move the National Milk Producers Federation says is a major victory for farmers and consumers alike.  Federation president and CEO Jim Mulhern says the bill will "ensure action," following "years of inaction" by the FDA regarding labeling of plant-based beverages as milk.

The language in the bill comes from the DAIRY PRIDE Act, introduced in January in the Senate by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin.  NMPF said that Congress’ instructions to FDA should restrict the ability of beverages made from plant foods from using the term “milk” on their labels.  The language will also affect products misusing other dairy food names such as “cheese” and “yogurt” that are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations and cited in the congressional bill.

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