Madison – Today, State Representative Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) introduced legislation relating to labeling food as a type of dairy product or as a dairy ingredient. Under this bill, ‘dairy’ products are defined as products derived from the milk of cows, therefore only dairy products can be labeled as such. The bill provides clarification to Wisconsin’s dairy product consumers.
“Wisconsin dairy producers and consumers are strongly impacted by the mislabeling of non-dairy products and the confusion surrounding it. This bill would help consumers make informed decisions about dairy consumption and protect dairy producers from misleading competitors,” said Rep. Goeben.
Rep. Goeben and Sen. Marklein introduced this bill with the intention to protect many members of the “Dairy State,” including dairy producers, processors, and consumers. This clarification in labeling will allow Wisconsinites to make decisions about their consumption in a well-informed manor. Furthermore, this bill is intends to protect the dairy industry which has contributed billions of dollars to the Wisconsin economy and is deeply ingrained into Wisconsin culture.
The Food and Drug Administration states that one in four Americans have felt mislead while shopping for ‘non-dairy’ products because of its ‘dairy’ labeling. “Clarification between ‘dairy’ and ‘non-dairy’ products is necessary for the protection and knowledge of producers, processors, and consumers,” said Goeben.
