Malice in Dairyland? Lawmakers defend dairy farmers in the fight against almond “milk”

Lawmakers in “America’s Dairyland” are fighting back against the trend of making a drink from a plant and calling it “milk.” 

Area State Senators Brad Pfaff of Onalaska and Jeff Smith of Eau Claire are among four legislators who signed a letter to the Food and Drug Administration, opposing a policy to allow product names such as “almond milk” and “soy milk.” 

The senators say using the word “milk” to describe plant-based products will cause confusion among consumers.

In a letter signed by the legislators, it’s argued that such branding could hurt Wisconsin’s $100 billion dairy industry, implying that those drinks offer the same nutrients as cow’s milk.