Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) have introduced the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025. The bill aims to prevent non-dairy products from using dairy terms such as “milk” or “yogurt” on labels if they do not contain actual dairy ingredients.

Senator Marshall stated, “Consumers deserve clear, honest labels on the products they purchase. Misleading labels on non-dairy products, which are often nutritionally inferior, cause confusion and undermine the value of real dairy. With 90% of Americans falling short of daily dairy intake recommendations, milk stands out as an excellent source of critical nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, essential for building strong bones in kids and adults. These imitation products not only fail to match the 13 essential nutrients found in whole milk but also harm dairy farmers who tirelessly meet rigorous health standards to deliver the most nutritious drink known to man.”

Senator Baldwin added, “Wisconsin is known across the world as America’s Dairyland because our hardworking dairy farmers produce the best products with the highest nutritional value. But, for far too long, imitation dairy products made from plants and nuts have ridden the coattails of our dairy farmers and gotten away with using dairy’s good name without meeting those standards. I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to settle this once and for all by requiring the federal government to stop these imitation products of lesser nutritional value from using labels like milk, cheese, and yogurt.”

The legislation has bipartisan support from Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).

Senator Risch commented, “Dairy comes from cows, goats, and sheep—not almonds. Plant-based products’ misleading branding is a disservice to consumers and the farmers who dedicate their lives to making the nutritious dairy products Idahoans enjoy. The DAIRY PRIDE Act requires the FDA to enforce accurate definitions for dairy terminology, end deceptive labeling, and advocate for the farmers who feed us.”

Senator Collins noted her state’s reliance on traditional dairies: “As an Aroostook County native, I know how essential the dairy industry is to Maine’s economy and how hard our state’s dairy farmers work to produce nutritious milk, yogurt, cheese, and other products. It is unfair for non-dairy products to capitalize on milk’s nutritious brand. This bipartisan legislation would help protect our dairy farmers and the quality of their goods by requiring non-dairy producers to accurately label their products.”

Senator Welch highlighted Vermont's agricultural community: “Our dairy farms are the heart of Vermont’s economy, our history, and our communities. The work they do should be protected and supported. That’s why I’m proud to join Senators Baldwin, Risch, and Collins in introducing the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act. This bill will give our farmers much needed support and correct FDA’s misguided efforts to allow non-dairy products to use dairy names—giving dairy farmers the protections they need to thrive.”

The proposed law has received endorsements from several industry groups including National Milk Producers Federation; American Farm Bureau Federation; EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative; Midwest Dairy Coalition; FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative; Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation; Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association; Idaho Dairymen’s Association; and Associated Milk Producers Inc.

For more details about legislative text or background information visit .