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Senators ask new FDA Commissioner to enforce dairy label standards

Two U.S. Senators have reached out to the new Food and Drug Administration Commissioner asking for tougher enforcement of dairy labeling standards.  Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Republican Jim Risch from Idaho sent a letter to Stephen Hahn asking him to combat the misuse of dairy terms on non-dairy products.

Baldwin says a public comment period was completed under former Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, and dairy farmers are waiting for FDA action.

In the letter, Baldwin says many non-dairy imitation products are continuing to use dairy terms like milk, yogurt, and cheese which is a clear violation of existing FDA rules.  She says imitators are often assumed to have the same health benefits and nutrient levels as real dairy products, which is unfair to dairy farmers and problematic for consumers.

The letter was also signed by five other Senators.  They are Mike Crapo (R-ID), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME).