Let Soy Milk and Other Dairy Alternatives Keep Their Labels
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. FDA
If the National Milk Producers Federation gets their way, people could be pouring "soy beverage" into their coffee.
The NMPF wrote a 38-page letter to the FDA demanding that labels like "milk" and "cheese" be banned from non-dairy products.
They claim labels like soy "milk" mislead people, and that these products are imitations of dairy. But replacing words like "milk" from non-dairy labels won't clarify the origins and characteristics of the product for those who seek dairy alternatives. It will confuse consumers and make these products harder to identify -- giving the milk producers a major advantage when people are shopping for something to pour on their cereal.
Don't let the NMPF manipulate the FDA and monopolize the "milk" market. Tell FDA commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg not to bend to the will of the NMPF, and to allow soy milk and other non-dairy products to keep their labels.
Dear Commissioner Hamburg,
The National Milk Producers Foundation wrote a 38-page letter to the FDA demanding that labels like "milk" and "cheese" not be used for non-dairy products.
They claim labels like soy "milk" mislead people, and that these products are imitations of dairy. But replacing words like "milk" from non-dairy labels won't clarify the origins and characteristics of the product for those who seek dairy alternatives, it will confuse consumers and make these products harder to identify -- giving the milk producers a major advantage when people are shopping for something to pour on their cereal.
[your comments will be inserted here]
The NMPF knows that labeling a product soy "cheese" or soy "milk" makes replacing dairy easier, and the alternative products more accessible. Changing labels of non-dairy items would force countless company's to re-brand their products, and make it even harder for them to target future customers. People should have a viable choice when looking for an alternative to dairy and not feel stuck with a product that many are allergic to or avoid for health and ethical reasons.
Don't let the NMPF manipulate the FDA and monopolize the "milk" market. Allow soy milk and other non-dairy products to keep their labels.
