Senators Marshall & Baldwin Introduce Legislation to End Dairy Mislabeling
Washington – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) to introduce the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025. This legislation will ensure that non-dairy products cannot engage in duplicitous labeling practices, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain.
“Consumers deserve clear, honest labels on the products they purchase. Misleading labels on non-dairy products, which are often nutritionally inferior, cause confusion and undermine the value of real dairy,” said Senator Marshall. “With 90% of Americans falling short of daily dairy intake recommendations, milk stands out as an excellent source of critical nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, essential for building strong bones in kids and adults. These imitation products not only fail to match the 13 essential nutrients found in whole milk but also harm dairy farmers who tirelessly meet rigorous health standards to deliver the most nutritious drink known to man.”
“Wisconsin is known across the world as America’s Dairyland because our hardworking dairy farmers produce the best products with the highest nutritional value,” said Senator Baldwin. “But, for far too long, imitation dairy products made from plants and nuts have ridden the coattails of our dairy farmers and gotten away with using dairy’s good name without meeting those standards. I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to settle this once and for all by requiring the federal government to stop these imitation products of lesser nutritional value from using labels like milk, cheese, and yogurt.”
The legislation was cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).
“Dairy comes from cows, goats, and sheep—not almonds. Plant-based products’ misleading branding is a disservice to consumers and the farmers who dedicate their lives to making the nutritious dairy products Idahoans enjoy,” said Senator Risch. “The DAIRY PRIDE Act requires the FDA to enforce accurate definitions for dairy terminology, end deceptive labeling, and advocate for the farmers who feed us.”
“As an Aroostook County native, I know how essential the dairy industry is to Maine’s economy and how hard our state’s dairy farmers work to produce nutritious milk, yogurt, cheese, and other products. It is unfair for non-dairy products to capitalize on milk’s nutritious brand,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help protect our dairy farmers and the quality of their goods by requiring non-dairy producers to accurately label their products.”
“Our dairy farms are the heart of Vermont’s economy, our history, and our communities. The work they do should be protected and supported. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Baldwin, Risch, and Collins in introducing the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act,” said Senator Welch. “This bill will give our farmers much needed support and correct FDA’s misguided efforts to allow non-dairy products to use dairy names—giving dairy farmers the protections they need to thrive.”
This legislation is supported by the National Milk Producers Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Idaho Dairymen’s Association, and Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI).
Click here to read the full bill text.
Background:
- Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from animals. But the most recent FDA guidance on fluid dairy products allows plant-based alternatives to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy.
- The DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in its enforcement obligations.
- Senator Marshall understands the nutritional importance of real, whole dairy products. He introduced the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would expand healthy milk options in schools by reversing the Obama-era law that took whole milk out of school cafeterias.
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Contact: Payton Fuller
