DAIRY PRIDE Act: FDA Must Define 'Milk' and Crack Down on Non-Dairy Imitations Within 180 Days

The newly introduced Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act—thankfully nicknamed the DAIRY PRIDE Act—is all about labeling. Specifically, it aims to shut down the use of standardized dairy names like "milk," "cheese," and "yogurt" on products that don’t actually come from a hooved mammal.

The Dairy Definition Gets Serious

This bill is a big win for clarity at the grocery store. It tightens the screws on what can legally be called a dairy product when sold across state lines. Under Section 3(a), if a food uses a name that’s already defined by the FDA as a standardized dairy product (think milk, cheddar, or cottage cheese), it must meet two conditions: it must actually be sourced from the milk of a hooved mammal (and be practically free of colostrum), and it cannot be an “imitation” food under existing rules. Fail either test, and the product is considered mislabeled under the new rules. For consumers, this means if you buy a container labeled "milk," you can be certain it came from a cow, goat, or similar animal, not a nut or grain.

The Real-World Impact on Your Cart

For traditional dairy farmers, this legislation offers significant protection by ensuring their established product names aren't used by competitors. For the rest of us, it means better transparency. Ever been confused by the dozen different kinds of "milk" in the dairy aisle? This bill aims to clean that up. If a product is plant-based, it will need to use clearer, non-standardized names or be explicitly labeled as an imitation, protecting the integrity of the dairy category. This change will directly affect producers of almond, soy, and oat beverages currently using the term "milk," forcing them to rebrand or clearly label their products as imitations to comply with the new interstate commerce rules.

FDA’s Tight Deadline for Enforcement

This isn't just a suggestion; the bill puts the FDA on a strict timeline. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must issue draft enforcement guidance within 90 days and the final, official guidance within 180 days of the bill becoming law. Any existing FDA guidance that contradicts this new, stricter definition of dairy is immediately voided. This rapid turnaround suggests a quick shift in how the agency regulates these labels, meaning the changes could hit the shelves sooner rather than later. Furthermore, two years after enactment, the Secretary must report back to Congress on all enforcement actions, including warnings and penalties, ensuring the FDA actually follows through on the new mandate.