“Milk Comes from Cows, Not Plants”: Courtney Helps Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Mislabeling of Non-Dairy Products

NORWICH, CT - Last week, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) joined U.S. Representative John Joyce M.D. (R-PA) to help introduce bipartisan legislation in support of America's dairy farmers that would prohibit the mislabeling of non-dairy products. The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday (DAIRY PRIDE) Act would prevent milk alternatives or plant-based products from being marketed or misbranded using terms commonly associated with dairy products. Courtney and Joyce were joined by a bipartisan coalition in introducing the bill, including Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI).

Dairy foods are a critical part of a healthy diet-rich in vital nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, and potassium-and they offer health benefits such as lowering the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Unfortunately, plant-based foods or imitation dairy alternatives lack the same health and nutrient benefits as real milk, cheese, or yogurt derived from dairy cows. Following recently released draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that allows plant-based products to use dairy terms despite lacking the same nutritional value of milk products, the DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to take enforcement action against manufacturers labeling dairy imitators as milk and other terms associated with dairy products.

"Northeastern Connecticut is lucky to host so many excellent dairy farms, my team and I keep in close touch with them, and I'm always ready to work with my colleagues to advance bipartisan legislation that will boost their business," said Rep. Courtney. "I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues this year to re-introduce the DAIRY PRIDE Act, a bill that would amend FDA guidelines to prevent plant-based milk alternatives from being falsely labeled as 'milk'. Milk comes from cows, not plants. Connecticut dairy farmers know that, but oat, almond, soy, and other plant products continue to be incorrectly marketed as 'milk'. The DAIRY PRIDE Act would prevent that, and would make it clear to consumers what product they're purchasing. I'm glad that in a time of so much division in our politics, commonsense legislation like this is often the product of good bipartisan work."

"Pennsylvania's dairy farmers produce high-quality milk, cheeses, ice creams, yogurts, and more - providing our Commonwealth with both nutritious and delicious products," said Congressman Joyce. "The nutritional value and benefits derived from dairy products cannot be confused with plant-based alternatives. I am proud to lead this legislation to support dairy farmers across our nation."

"Dairy farmers work hard to earn the trust of America's families by producing healthy affordable products," said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "The DAIRY PRIDE Act is a positive step toward ensuring labels at the supermarket accurately represent the items consumers decide to put on their tables. Families deserve to be fully informed on the products they purchase."

"FDA's unwillingness to enforce dairy standards of identity is harming public health and violates the entire purpose of the standards in the first place, protecting Americans. FDA's last three Senate-confirmed commissioners from both parties have each acknowledged the problem caused by imitation beverages that use dairy terms, and medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree with this concern. NMPF thanks Representatives John Joyce and Ann Kuster for their dedication to ensuring FDA does its job to protect Americans, a responsibility that Congress must fulfill by passing the DAIRY PRIDE Act," said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. "We applaud Representatives Joyce and Kuster for moving quickly with the reintroduction of the DAIRY PRIDE Act to make clear to FDA that its recent guidance on labeling imitator beverages is unacceptable and will not stand. NMPF looks forward to continuing to work with House and Senate champions on this issue to ensure FDA does its job and enforces dairy standards of identity."

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