Digest highlights
- FDA reopens comment period on plant-based ‘milk’ labeling guidance proposal
- Valley Milk joining GDT auction platform
- U.S., South American ag groups to collaborate on policy direction
- 2023 Farm Bill sessions continue
FDA reopens comment period on plant-based ‘milk’ labeling guidance proposal
The FDA has reopened the public comment period on a proposal guiding labeling of plant-based “dairy” beverage alternatives. A closing date on the new comment period has not yet been set as of Progressive Dairy’s deadline.
The proposal, titled “Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements; Draft Guidance for Industry,” was published in late February. The original comment period closed on April 24.
Comments should be submitted to Regulations.gov and identified with the docket number FDA-2023-D-0451.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has also established an advocacy link to submit comments.
Read: FDA provides recommendation for voluntary labeling plant-based 'milk'
Following publication of the proposal, the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday (DAIRY PRIDE) Act was introduced in both the Senate and House. If approved, that bill would nullify any FDA guidance that is not consistent with dairy standards of identity.
Read: Weekly Digest: DAIRY PRIDE Act would nullify FDA ‘milk’ labeling draft guidance
The FDA guidance provides largely voluntary labeling of some plant-based beverages sold as dairy alternatives, recommending products that include the term “milk” in their name include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares with milk. For example, the label could say, “Contains lower amounts of vitamin D and calcium than milk.”
The draft guidance does not apply to other plant-based dairy alternatives, such as plant-based cheese or yogurt alternatives. The FDA is in the process of developing a draft guidance to address the labeling and naming of other plant-based alternative products and will communicate updates when available.
Valley Milk joining GDT auction platform
Another U.S.-based dairy company will be joining the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) platform. California’s Valley Milk LLC will begin offering skim milk powder (SMP) at GDT auction events in June-July 2023.
Valley Milk is owned by five multigenerational Central Valley California dairy families, along with other dairy professionals including nutritionists and veterinarians. The company produces a full range of milk powders at its processing facility in Turlock, California, and plans to begin anhydrous milkfat production (AMF) in 2024. It processes about 2.5 million pounds of milk per day, supplied by 18 family-owned dairy farms.
The GDT platform currently offers dairy products from six global companies: Fonterra (New Zealand), Dairy America (U.S.), Amul (India), Arla (Denmark), Arla Foods Ingredients (Denmark) and Polish Dairy (Poland). Auction events are held twice monthly.
Seattle-based Darigold previously announced it would offer SMP at Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction events beginning in June, with the potential to add further products at a later stage.
U.S., South American ag groups to collaborate on policy direction
Seeking to bridge international differences in the application of policies impacting dairy, organizations from the U.S. and several South American countries signed a set of principles designed to encourage sustainable productivity growth while taking into consideration the unique needs of the livestock industry and producer profitability.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) joined the Federación de Asociaciones Rurales del Mercosur (FARM) from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Colombia to engage governments and international organizations around the world on the issues of livestock, agriculture, climate and trade.
In collaboration with the Pan-American Dairy Federation (FEPALE), USDEC, NMPF and the South American FARM will coordinate and support engagements with government officials and international organizations playing a role in shaping the discussion around agriculture’s role in a sustainable future.
2023 Farm Bill sessions continue
A Senate subcommittee of the Committee on Agriculture will host a two-part hearing on the 2023 Farm Bill, May 2, 9 a.m. (Eastern time) in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. The Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade will hold separate sessions seeking producer (9 a.m.) and industry (10 a.m.) perspectives on programs. There is no video broadcast for this hearing.
