The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again extended its comment period on milk labeling. The previous deadlines were Oct. 11 and Nov. 27. The new deadline is now January 25, 2019.
“It is crucial that all interested parties have adequate time to more fully address FDA’s extensive list of questions about the labeling issue, and why it matters from a nutrition and public health standpoint,” says Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.
“This extension will allow the dairy community, as well as health professionals, to fully explain why consumers deserve accurate and honest information about their food options,” he says.
A recent survey found that 73% of consumers believe that almond-based drinks have as much protein per serving as milk from cows. They don’t. An 8-ounce glass of milk typically contains 8 grams of protein while a 8-ounce glass of almond beverage contains just 1 gram.
More than half of consumers also believe that plant-based food manufacturers label their products as “milk” because their nutritional value is similar, which it is not. A fourth of consumers also believe or weren’t sure whether coconut, soy and almond beverages contain dairy milk.