IDFA Oppose COOL For Dairy Products
US - Three US senators introduced legislation last week that would mandate country-of-origin labelling for all dairy products, which is very much opposed by industry leaders.
21 October 2009
2 minute read
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and others oppose the legislation, because it would reduce demand for dairy products and cause US food manufacturers to use more non-dairy ingredients.
Country-of-origin labelling, or COOL, requires retailers to identify for customers the source of certain foods. Currently only meats, nuts and raw produce are subject to COOL requirements, and all ingredients used in processed foods are exempt. The new bill, S. 1783, would retain the exemption for all processed foods except fluid milk, cheese, ice cream, butter and all other dairy products.
Although the sponsors, Senators Al Franken (D-MN) (pictured), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Russ Feingold (D-WI), pointed to consumer choice as a reason for the bill, they also believe it will address low milk prices and the crisis facing dairy farmers. Noting in his statement that dairy farmers are in dire straights, Senator Franken indicated that COOL would be another "tool in the shed" to fight the "economic storm" they face.
"This legislation is misguided, because it would do nothing to help America's dairy farmers," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy. "Imposing additional labeling mandates on dairy products, which are not imposed on other processed foods, will reduce demand for dairy products and encourage food manufacturers to substitute vegetable-based or other protein ingredients instead of dairy ingredients."
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) also expressed opposition to the proposed legislation, which mirrors a bill introduced in 2008 by then-Senator Hillary Clinton. Pointing to ongoing industry and trade challenges stemming from current COOL requirements for meats, NMPF Senior Vice President Chris Galen told Dairy Today, "Now is not the time to apply a similar requirement for dairy products."
IDFA have said they will aggressively oppose this bill.
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