Dairy industry advocates continue pushing back against proposed Food and Drug Administration labeling rules that would allow plant-based beverages to be labeled as “milk.” As the public comment period for the new rule comes to a close, leaders from dairy trade organizations are once again speaking out on the issue.
Earlier this year, FDA released a draft guidance for labeling of plant-based milk alternative and voluntary nutrient statement. In If the draft, FDA recommended non-dairy based beverages include labels with more detailed nutritional information.
International Dairy Food Association senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs Roberta Wagner says consumers should not need an advanced college degree in nutrition to make purchasing decision. She and the IDFA are recommending that the FDA require a simple declarative statement about the nutrition differences between dairy milk and plant-based alternatives.
“For several years, IDFA has been advocating for the FDA to issue industry guidance that aligns with its standards that foods must be labeled in a truthful and non-misleading way while also advancing the nutrition security of all Americans,” Wagner says. “We firmly believe that the FDA’s proposal to include a list of nutrients on the front of the container for plant-based milk alternatives is insufficient as a solution and onerous for consumers.”
National Milk Producers Federation senior vice president of membership services Chris Galen says that FDA has taken a small step forward by including the nutritional information on packaging. However, he believes this is not sufficient to prevent confusion among consumers.
“We realize that the term ‘milk’ has a halo effect. It connotes a value to consumers because there’s so much nutrition in milk,” he says. “That’s why all these fake milk-makers want to use the term ‘milk.’ If it has to be just ‘almond beverage’ or ‘juice’ or ‘product,’ it just doesn’t sound nearly as appealing, does it.”
Galen says he will be very interested to see how FDA handles the many comments it received from dairy advocates as well as those more supportive of plant-based beverages. He adds that while dairy producers are lobbying the FDA to change its rules, they are also working with lawmakers to enact the DAIRY Pride Act that would require products labeled “milk” or other diary terms like “yogurt” or “cheese” to contain milk originating from a hooved animal. The bill is currently being considered by committees in both the House and Senate.
