WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a final rule amending the definition of Class I fluid milk products in all Federal milk marketing orders effective Jan. 1, 2011.
These amendments, which were approved by producers, maintain the current 6.5 percent nonfat milk solid standard and incorporates an alternative 2.25 percent true milk protein criterion to determine whether a product meets the compositional standard for fluid milk products. This rule also amends the fluid milk product definition to provide exemptions for drinkable yogurt products containing at least 20 percent yogurt (by weight), kefir, and products intended to be meal replacements. The decision clarifies how milk and milk-derived ingredients should be priced under all Federal milk marketing orders when used in fluid milk products.
The final rule appears in today’s Federal Register and becomes effective Jan. 1, 2011. For additional information about the decision contact:
Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 51478, Boston, MA 02205-1478
Tel. (617) 737-7199; email: erasmussen@fedmilk1.com
Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly, Jr.
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 91528, Louisville, KY 40291-0528
Tel. (502) 499-0040; email: friedly@malouisville.com
Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
1550 North Brown Road, Suite 120, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Tel. (770) 682-2501; email: smosley@fmmatlanta.com
Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
1600 West 82nd Street, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55431-1420
Tel. (952) 831-5292; email: pkyburz@fmma30.com
Central: David C. Stukenberg
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 14650, Shawnee Mission, KS 66285-4650
Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: David.Stukenberg@fmmacentral.com
Mideast: Paul A. Huber
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 5102, Brunswick, OH 44212
Tel. (330) 225-4758; email: phuber@fmmaclev.com
Pacific Northwest and Arizona: James R. Daugherty
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
1930-220th St., SE., Suite 102 Bothell, WA 98021-8471
Tel. (425) 487-6009; email: jdaugherty@fmmaseattle.com
Southwest: Cary Hunter
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 110939, Carrollton, TX 75011-0939
Tel. (972) 245-6060; email: sw.order@dallasma.com
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Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service