During its current review of dairy market issues the Board has received several comments from Pennsylvania farmers and consumers opposed to plant-based drinks being labelled as “milk.” Standards of identity for milk products are regulated and enforced by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA’s standards of identity define milk as “the lacteal secretion . . . of one or more healthy cows.”
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told an audience on July 16 that the agency will open a docket “soon” to solicit public comments that will help develop a guidance document for the FDA to begin enforcing the standards. Dr. Gottlieb estimated the process would take about a year to complete.
The Board encourages Pennsylvania dairy stakeholders to participate in the public comment process when the docket opens. The Board will provide further information as it becomes available.
