Posted: 10.05.2010

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold is one of eight that isn't satisfied with the way the Federal Food and Drug Administration wants to handle labeling imitation dairy products.

Monday, Feingold, along with seven other senators - fired off a letter to the agency saying that these imitation products hurt dairy farmers and mislead consumers. The group's asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate misbranding of products that are not actually dairy products or have unapproved ingredients like milk protein concentrates (MPCs) or casein.  The action is being supported by the  National Milk Producers Federation, Midwest Dairy Coalition and Family Dairies USA. 

A copy of the letter can be viewed at http://feingold.senate.gov/pdf/ltr_100410_fda.pdf.  

Feingold has been focused on dairy quality issues through his career, including introducing the Quality Cheese Act to preserve the integrity of our natural cheeses by preventing MPCs and other imported milk substitutes from ever entering cheese vats.  Feingold is also a cosponsor of legislation to impose a tariff on MPCs or casein, which are allowed to enter the U.S. virtually unrestricted and hurt American farmers who have to unfairly compete against these products.

« back to news articles