WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) reintroduced the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday (DAIRY PRIDE) Act of 2025, legislation to crack down on the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. Allowing non-dairy products that are derived from plants, nuts, or grains to be labeled as “milk” or “yogurt” 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.
“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.”
“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.”
Current U.S. 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, American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Diary Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Idaho Dairymen’s Association and Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI).
“When consumers buy products labeled as milk or cheese, they’re expecting delicious, nutritious foods made with the goodness of real dairy – not nuts, peas or beans,” said John Umhoefer, Executive Director, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. “The Food & Drug Administration’s disappointing draft guidance, allowing imitation products to co-opt dairy’s reputation for their own sales benefit, will result in more consumer confusion. We applaud Senator Tammy Baldwin and the bipartisan Congressional coalition behind the DAIRY PRIDE Act, fighting for clear, accurate food labeling so Americans can make well-informed choices at the grocery store.”
“FDA has for years chosen not to enforce dairy standards of identity, a decision that’s harmed public health and undermined the entire purpose of the standards, which inform and protect Americans. Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree that it’s a problem when products mislead consumers by using dairy terms to imply that they provide dairy’s unique nutritional profile – when nothing could be further from the truth.
“NMPF thanks Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Jim Risch, Peter Welch, and Susan Collins for their continued leadership in prodding FDA to simply do its job, which Congress can ensure by enacting the DAIRY PRIDE Act,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “It’s time to get rid of FDA’s 2023 guidance on labeling imitator beverages and replace it with straightforward policy that makes FDA enforce its own dairy standards of identity.”
“America’s dairy farmers take seriously the responsibility of providing families across the country with healthy, safe and affordable products they can count on,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President of Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation. “The DAIRY PRIDE Act will help ensure consumers can make an educated decision when choosing what to put on their tables. We appreciate the work of Senator Baldwin to bring this legislation forward, and for her continued support of farmers and ranchers.”
This bipartisan legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, Senator Welch has championed efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s dairy industry. Last week, Senator Welch reintroduced the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act, legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers by extending emergency assistance to farmers facing losses due to factors like feed shortages and increased costs.
Senator Welch also recently introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, legislation to support America’s students and dairy farmers by allowing schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer students whole milk. Last Congress, Senator Welch introduced several bills in the 118th Congress to support Vermont’s dairy, organic, and specialty crop farmers. These bills were included in Senate Democrats’ draft Farm Bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
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