East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) have urged the Biden administration to safeguard the American dairy industry by ensuring that plant-based imitation products are not classified as dairy in upcoming dietary guideline changes. They were joined by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in addressing their concerns to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“We are concerned about potential efforts to add plant-based imitation products to the dairy group within the DGA,” wrote the Senators. “Existing research has shown that plant-based alternatives are indeed not nutritionally equivalent to dairy.”

The senators highlighted that equating imitation products with dairy could mislead consumers, given that these alternatives often contain lower protein levels and added sugars. They stressed that any updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) should be based on sound scientific evidence.

“We believe that it is important that consumers understand the nutritional value of the food and beverages that they choose to purchase and consume, and that the federal dietary guidelines they may turn to reflect evidence-based science," continued the senators. "As you consider potential updates to the DGA pertaining to dairy, we ask that you ensure sound scientific evidence to support any statements which nutritionally equate plant-based alternatives with real dairy."

Risch and Baldwin have also introduced the DAIRY PRIDE Act, aimed at preventing non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae from being mislabeled with terms traditionally associated with dairy such as milk, yogurt, or cheese.

The full letter is available here.