Comments Needed on Plant-Based Dairy Nomenclature

Food labels are garnering attention again, especially when it pertains to how plant-based alternatives to dairy are identified.

FDA released its draft guidance for industry on the labeling of plant-based alternatives to animal-derived foods. The draft guidance advises plant-based alternative manufacturers to be specific in the labeling of their products by including the name of the primary plant-based ingredient/ingredient mix.

Manufacturers can use the name of animal-based products, like “cheese,” in the naming of the plant-based product, as long as they also name the main plant-based ingredients, such as “soy-based cheddar cheese.”

So what do you think? The FDA wants to know! That draft guidance is now open for public comment through March 10.

It’s important to note that this guidance does exclude plant-based milk alternatives. Those actually have a whole separate guidance document. From the Dairy Council of California, they encourage you to submit public comment in both arenas. For details on how to do so as well as what is being proposed before upcoming deadlines, visit https://dairycouncilofca.org/our-insights-impact/news-press/news-detail/regulatory-updates-and-opportunities-to-share-your-voice