Milk producers file complaint against soy 'milk'

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 Director of the American Soybean Association.

Got lactose-free milk?
September 28, 1999

National Milk Producers Federation
American Soybean Association

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