DAIRY PRIDE Act seeks stricter enforcement of dairy labeling standards
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced legislation that would require federal regulators to more strictly enforce labeling standards for dairy products and plant-based alternatives.
The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act, known as the DAIRY PRIDE Act, would direct the Food and Drug Administration to prohibit plant-based products from being labeled with terms traditionally associated with dairy, such as “milk,” unless they meet existing standards of identity.
Introducing the DAIRY PRIDE Act
Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), and Rep. Josh Riley (D-NY), led the reintroduction of the bill in the House. Additional bipartisan support includes Reps. Annie Kuster (D-NH), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Angie Craig (D-AR), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Joe Courtney (D-CT).
The legislation would deem products making inaccurate claims about milk content as misbranded and require FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement within 90 days.
Supporters say the measure is intended to ensure clear labeling for consumers and to uphold existing federal standards.
“Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers produce high-quality milk, cheeses, ice creams, yogurts, and more—providing our Commonwealth with both nutritious and delicious products,” Joyce said. “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.”
Kuster said consumers benefit from having a range of options, but they need accurate labeling and transparency to understand differences among products. Simpson said the bill would support informed purchasing decisions.
“Milk comes from a cow—not an almond or coconut or any other fruit or vegetable,” Simpson said. “As the co-chair of the Congressional Dairy Caucus and representing the state with the third-largest production of dairy, I am fully committed to supporting the dairy producers across the country and empowering consumers to make informed nutritional decisions. I am proud to cosponsor the Dairy Pride Act that would require FDA enforcement action to provide honest nutritional labelling for consumers.”
Industry applause
Farm and dairy organizations voiced support for the proposal, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Milk Producers Federation and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. These groups argue that FDA has not consistently enforced its own definitions for dairy products, and that clearer labeling would reduce consumer confusion.
The NMPF said previous FDA guidance on plant-based labeling has allowed products to use dairy terms without meeting the same standards and called for stronger enforcement.
“Milk and dairy products supply 13 essential nutrients, including three that continue to be identified as nutrients of public health concern: calcium, potassium, and vitamin D,” said Gregg Doud, NMPF president and CEO. “But plant-based imitation products that are not nutritionally equivalent to real milk and do not deliver dairy’s unique nutrient package for too long have been allowed to imply to consumers that they are just like the real thing, creating a public health problem that FDA commissioners have acknowledged over the past decade.”
The legislation comes as plant-based alternatives continue to expand in the marketplace, prompting ongoing debate over labeling, nutrition and regulatory oversight.
“It’s high time FDA makes it easier for consumers to navigate the choices they face in the grocery aisles; the DAIRY PRIDE Act is an important step in the right direction,” Doud said. “Dairy farmers and their cooperatives thank Reps. John Joyce and Josh Riley for their bipartisan leadership in finding solutions through this critical legislation.”
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
(Photo by Marcia Salido via Pexels.)
