Milk producers file complaint against soy 'milk'

[Guest guest]

February 14, 2000

Web posted at: 3:50 p.m. EST (2050 GMT)

 

WASHINGTON (CNNfn) -- Got milk? Not if it's made from soybeans. The National

Milk Producers Federation has registered a trade complaint with the federal

government, asking the Food and Drug Administration to put a stop to the use of

the word " milk " by soybean beverage makers.

 

Milk producers claim that soy-based beverages cannot label their products as

" milk " since federal regulatory standards clearly limit the use of the term to

the milk coming from dairy cows.

 

" Soy-based beverages are attempting to directly compete with dairy products and

are inappropriately taking advantage of the familiarity and positive image of

dairy terminology in their labeling, " said Dr. Rob Byrne, vice president of

regulatory affairs for the NMPF. " The soybean beverage makers don't got milk --

never had, never will -- and shouldn't be allowed to claim otherwise. "

 

A spokesman for the American Soybean Association expressed surprise at the

complaint, saying the biggest market for soy milk is among individuals who are

lactose-intolerant.

 

" We're not aware that there's any existing consumer confusion between the

difference between soy milk and dairy milk, " said Bob Callanan, Communications of the American Soybean Association.

 

--

 

 

_____________

Free email services provided by http://www.goodkarmamail.com

 

 

powered by OutBlaze