Baldwin, Risch, Collins, Welch Introduce Bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act to Stop Mislabeling of Dairy Imitation Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025 to crack down on the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. The practice, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain, 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.

“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.”

“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.”

Current 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 Dairy 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 of the 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 of 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 for the 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.”

"We applaud Senator Baldwin and Risch for the reintroduction of this important Act to uphold the integrity and trust of American dairy products,” said Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative President, Heidi Fischer. “Preventing the misuse of dairy product names protects and enhances the confidence consumers have in the authenticity of the nutritious dairy products they buy. We encourage timely action on this bill to prevent further misleading product names on our grocery store coolers and shelves."

“Dairy farmers invest a great deal of time and money to produce a wholesome, nutritious product for consumers, and take pride in the milk they produce. The Food and Drug Administration’s own rules make it clear that the term “milk” on product labels can only be used on dairy products. Unfortunately, FDA has chosen not to enforce their own rules. The Dairy PRIDE Act, introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin, will help ensure that products labeled as milk are indeed dairy products. Consumers and dairy farmers alike will be the beneficiaries of this effort,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.

“Idaho dairy farmers have worked hard for generations to provide real, safe, and wholesome dairy products. Allowing plant-based alternatives to use dairy terms misleads consumers and undermines the work of our family farms. The Idaho Dairymen’s Association strongly supports the “The Dairy Pride Act”, which reaffirms what the FDA has long recognized, that dairy terms have clear, traditional definitions tied to animal-derived products. Upholding these standards protects the integrity of dairy, supports our farmers, and strengthens consumer trust. We thank home-state Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) for his leadership in reintroducing this bipartisan and commonsense legislation with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and for continuing to stand with America’s dairy farmers.” said Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association.

This bipartisan legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Angus King (I-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

Full text of the bill is available here.

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