Legislation Would Stop Mislabeling of Imitation Dairy Products

A bill that would crack down on the practice of mislabeling non-dairy products by using dairy names has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the bipartisan “Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act,” or the Dairy Pride Act of 2025.

The practice, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain, hurts dairy farmers who work tirelessly to ensure their products meet rigorous health standards and causes consumer confusion about the nutritional value of dairy versus imitation products.

“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.”

“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.”

Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from animals, however, the most recent FDA guidance on fluid dairy products allows plant-based alternatives to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy, nor having the nutritional value of dairy products.

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 their enforcement obligations.

This legislation is supported by the National Milk Producers Federation, as well as American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, and FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

This bipartisan legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

Full text of the bill is available here.

Sources: Office of Senator Tammy Baldwin, NAFB News Service.