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Dairy Pride Act re-introduced in U.S. Senate

A Wisconsin senator has re-introduced legislation that would force the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enforce dairy product labeling guidelines.

Senator Tammy Baldwin says the dairy industry is being harmed by imitation products using dairy names. “Dairy farmers work hard every day to make sure that their milk meets the high standards for nutritional value and quality required in law.”

The definition of milk requires it to come from a mammal, and Senator Tammy Baldwin says the FDA is not doing its job. “We see all of the time imitation products that use dairy’s good name for their own benefit, which is frankly against the law and that law must be enforced.”

Baldwin says the bill introduced this week is identical to the Dairy Pride bill that was stalled in Congress by the pandemic last year.

The State of Wisconsin also has two dairy labeling bills and one meat labeling bill awaiting votes on the Assembly and Senate floors, and Baldwin says, “I think that it will be a good compliment to some of the state efforts, but really, we need the Food and Drug Administration to enforce the law that it’s charged with enforcing.”

Agricultural groups are reacting to the Dairy Pride Act’s re-introduction.

The National Milk Producers Federation says the bill that would bring clear, accurate labeling information for consumers and end harmful mislabeling of dairy foods by peddlers of plant-based products. NMPF says the FDA’s lack of enforcement of dairy standards of identity has led to consumer misunderstanding of the nutrients – or lack thereof – in imitation dairy products, citing a 2018 survey that found 73% of consumers believe that almond-based beverages have as much or more protein per serving than milk. when in reality, milk has up to eight times as much protein. NMPF says a follow-up survey found that roughly 50 percent of consumers mistakenly believe that the main ingredient in a plant-based beverage is the plant itself when such drinks are mostly flavored water.

Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Executive Director John Umhoefer says Americans deserve clear, truthful labels as they choose the foods they buy and serve to their families. A consumer survey co-sponsored by the group showed that one-quarter of people believe real milk is present in plant-based foods that mimic cheese and one-third of those studied think plant-based mimics contain protein, but some imitators have little to no protein.  Umhoefer says one-quarter of the consumers surveyed think plant-based mimics are lower in calories or fat, and have fewer additives, but neither perception is true. WCMA President Dave Buholzer of Klondike Cheese Company says the makers of cheese imitations would like you to think their products offer better nutrition, but that’s simply not the case because milk and cheese naturally deliver nutrients like calcium, protein, and potassium like none of the imitation products can.

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative General Manager Jeff Lyon says consumers deserve transparency and want clear and accurate food labels on the food they buy, and he says our dairy farmers deserve recognition for producing such a wholesome, quality product.

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative President Brody Stapel is also pleased to see Dairy Pride back for consideration in Congress. He says, “Research has shown that customers are confused by the way dairy imitations are presented in the marketplace. Stapel says mislabeling is not tolerated in most sectors of the economy, but it is pervasive in the dairy aisle, and it’s frustrating to see the inaction by the FDA to correct the problem. He says cooperative members are excited to see Senator Baldwin re-introduce this bill, telling the makers of plant-based imitations that they need to play by the rules, while supporting real dairy products.