(Forbes)
The Food and Drug Administration ended a public comment period on Monday over whether it should continue to allow plant-based products to use words like “milk” and “cheese” in their labeling. This followed public statements by FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who quipped last year that almond milk should not be called milk because “an almond doesn’t lactate.”
The FDA’s possible change in approach pits the powerful dairy industry against the makers behind up-and-coming alternative milks, like almond, coconut, soy, and oat. Between 2012 and 2017, sales of non-dairy milks grew over 60%, with almond milk taking a 64% market share. During that same period, dairy milk sales dropped by 15%, according to Mintel.
Last week, the Institute for Justice entered the fray and submitted its own comment, warning that the labeling ban “would confuse consumers, harm small businesses across the country, and raise serious First Amendment concerns.” Read more