Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Big Ag is trying to decimate the alternative milk industry (almond, oat, hemp, etc, basically all plant based milks) with something called: The Dairy Pride Act. A sweet name designed to get people to go agree with it.
At the very least this will cause the prices to go up or the companies to exit and say it's not worth it for them to call their products names like almond water, or hemp water, etc with the potential of losing customers.
Big ag may be losing money as more people opt for plant based alternatives, so this act would help them to put a stop to it. Go to ACTIVISM and sign the petition if you value your plant based milk products.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Catgirl, this isn't addressed to or AT you, certainly not, just to the bill and concept. And it is only my opinion.
And please know I did a good amount of research on the issue before posting (better than cleaning floors tonight) and this isn't meant to discourage others, only to make them think before they put their John Hancock on something they don't really know a lot about, like I didn't till I researched it.
My opinion- This bill and petition are somewhat problematic.
Senator Baldwin from Wisconsin should thought twice before she submitted this bill for consideration. (And to note- there are no co-signers on it- telling us something.)
My Concerns...
1. Children aren't drinking as much cow's milk, true, but it isn't because they don't know the difference between almond milk and regular milk or they may get confused.
It is because there are a lot more choices today than there were when I was little, and many of the choices taste better, like soda, slurpies, fruit juices, teas, etc.
Those "alternative drinks" are the industries that need to be addressed if anyone needs to address this situation at all.
2. Parents are purchasing alternatives because they purposely want to change it up. Variety.
The bill says alternative milks don't have the same or as many nutrients as cow's milk.
True, some milk doesn't have as much FAT as other kinds of milk, for example. Each "milk" has differing nutrients and benefits, as well as potential concerns. But, I do believe we know the difference between regular milk and coconut milk and don't need legislation to address a name change.
3. I purposely buy alternative milk sometimes, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, more than anyone I know, cow's milk. Lord, bless the cows that give us milk!
The alternative milks, however, often have 2 x as much calcium, which I need. So the not having enough nutrients argument doesn't really hold water with me, or hold "milk".
4. They are assuming consumers don't know the difference and are afraid people will think that cows are eating lots of almonds making it "almond milk", or a lot of soy beans making it "soy milk".
Actually, I don't know anyone quite that dumb. At least no one who can get themselves to the grocery store on their own and purchase food.
5. The bill interferes with free trade and violators are going to actually be punished for calling coconut milk "milk". Come on! It also adds more regulations to enforce on the FDA's plate, as if they didn't have enough work to do already.
6. When a petition or an article doesn't give you details or links to the actual bill, you need to check it out even more than normal. I finally found it and it is goofy to say the least.
7. Consider the source. The article is in the LA Times- one paper we have major problems with when it comes to Lyme issues. In fact, it is an "Op-ED". That tells me something.
The bill is also is coming out of Wisconsin, a state that has been sort of off the charts in the political world for a good while now.
8. With all the turmoil in the world, do we really need to spend time, money and energy on what we should be calling coconut or almond milk? Or deal with this kind of legislation?
Link to the ‘‘Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act’’ or the ‘‘DAIRY PRIDE Act.’’
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
From the bill language...
"Given the proliferation of plant-based products in the marketplace that are mislabeled as milk despite the standard of identity defined for this substance, enforcement by the Food and Drug Administration against these practices should be improved to avoid misleading consumers."
"SEC. 3. PURPOSE. No food may be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce using a market name for a dairy product if the food does not meet the criterion set forth for dairy products under paragraph (z)(2) of section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) (as added by section 4(a))."
And do we really want our tax dollars spent on this...
"GUIDANCE.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall—
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue draft guidance on how enforcement of the amendment made by subsection (a) will be carried out; and...
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue final guidance on such enforcement."
Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Thanks for all the info Tincup.
For everyone else, I encourage you to sign it at the link in Activism.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Separate matters, yet also important to consider issues with
1. gluten
2. msg / "natural flavors"
3. lining of carton
1. many of the nut milks can contain gluten, even if they say they don't. Check with a site like Celiac.com - check with two or three top celiac sites, actually, to determine which are truly gluten free.
Rice Dream is not, for instance - even though the logo says so, it is not.
2. MSG / "natural flavors" in many
3. And the lining of the cartons are also something to consider, even if BPA free, there may be other petro chemicals that can leech out. Look into that if you have one you love. Find out what it's made of.
4. MAKE YOUR OWN -- It's also easy to make your own nut milk but my hands are scra=emg to stop. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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