Friday, March 1, 2019 CapitalPress.com Dairy petition outlines labeling solution for non-dairy imitators By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press National Milk Producers Feder- ation has submitted a citizen peti- tion to the Food and Drug Admin- istration outlining how and why the agency should use its exist- ing regulations to guide the use of dairy terms for plant-based products. The petition is a roadmap for the next step the FDA should take in ending the violation of its stan- dard of identity rules in the labeling of plant-based dairy alternatives, Alan Bjerga, NMPF senior vice president of communications, said in a conference call on the issue. For years, drinks made from soybeans and other plant materials have been labeled “milk.” NMPF has been vocal about the problem for decades regardless of food-consumption trends or food fads, he said. “What’s different now is the FDA’s serious engagement on the issue,” he said. The agency recently closed a public comment period on the matter, drawing more than 13,000 comments. Carol Ryan Dumas/Capital Press File Soy milk and almond milk are two of the several hundred plant-based products labeled and marketed using dairy terms. Dairymen have sought enforcement action FDA labeling rules. “The public interest in this issue alone, to us, illustrates further that the FDA needs to act,” he said. There is anecdotal and sur- vey evidence of consumer confu- sion over the nutritional content of dairy alternatives and concerns of adverse health effects in children as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and others, he said. The petition “is meant to both aid and encourage the FDA to find a practical solution to the dairy label- ing problem, one that is grounded in current law and addresses con- temporary concerns,” he said. FDA’s call for comment pro- vided NMPF with another chance to explain the compelling need to provide resolution to the issue, Tom Balmer, NMPF executive vice president, said. “We believe a comprehensive fix has been available all along. But FDA’s decades-long inaction has allowed marketplace chaos to grow exponentially,” he said. NMPF has publicly stated many times that it is not trying to keep dairy imitators out of the market- place but insists that those food products follow the law, he said. “We believe it’s possible to use existing regulations and with some modification produce com- mon-sense labeling that will pro- vide everyone with truthful, trans- parent and reasonable options,” he said. For non-dairy foods using stan- dardized dairy terms but are nutri- Company to build large milk processing facility tionally inferior to the dairy foods they reference, NMPF is urging FDA to immediately enforce exist- ing imitation labeling regulations. An imitation food could avoid being labeled as such simply by not using any standardized dairy term. It could also avoid the imitation labeling by stating on the label that it is inferior to the referenced prod- uct, he said. For non-dairy substitutes that are not inferior to the referenced prod- uct, NMPF is urging FDA to imme- diately enforce existing rules that the product be labeled as a substi- tute or an alternative, such as “non- dairy yogurt.” The petition also addresses the issue of plant-based companies’ First Amendment rights in using dairy terms, citing relevant case law that supports FDA enforcement of existing regulations based on the federal government’s interest in consumer health and market-based transparency. “It’s important to note our approach does not advocate for any so-called ban. It simply relies on proper disclosure that allows for appropriate, truthful, non-mislead- ing messaging,” Balmer said. Capital Press Gem State Dairy Prod- ucts, LLC, on Monday announced plans to estab- lish one of the largest asep- tic milk processing plants in the U.S. to produce shelf-stable milk products. The new facility is set to break ground in Twin Falls, Idaho, providing new opportunities for Idaho’s dairy industry and creating more than 100 milk-pro- cessing jobs by the end of 2020, according to a press release from the company. Construction of the 200,000-square-foot plant is expected to begin this sum- mer, and the company antic- ipates processing to begin in the summer of 2020. The vertically integrated bottling facility will be one of the newest and largest aseptic processing facilities in the country, Tom Mike- sell, the company’s spokes- person, said in the press release. “The state-of-the-art facility will utilize the most current technology avail- able to the market. That will allow Gem State to provide its customers with high-quality and lower-cost alternatives for milk and dairy-based beverages,” he said. Mikesell, a local real estate agent, told Capi- tal Press he sold the com- pany the 76 acres it pur- chased to build the plant and was asked to be the compa- ny’s temporary public rela- tions person. Beyond that, he isn’t privy to other infor- mation about the company, including the names of its owners. Idaho Farm Bureau commits $100,000 to CAFE By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation announced on Thursday that it will con- tribute $100,000 to the Uni- versity of Idaho’s Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE). The commitment fol- lowed quickly on the heels of the Idaho State Board of Education’s approval of the university’s purchase of land in Rupert to build a research dairy that will serve as the foundation of the CAFE project. The university and Idaho Dairymen’s Association are jointly purchasing an initial Carol Ryan Dumas/Capital Press University of Idaho officials say they have bought the “perfect” site for a research dairy. The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation has pledged $100,000 to the project. 540 acres for the research dairy for $4.5 million. The research dairy is set to be the largest in the coun- try and the only one address- ing milk production in an arid climate. The research will focus on environmental issues, including water qual- ity and efficiency, nutrient management and soil health. The broader $45 million CAFE project will also have a strong outreach and educa- tion component, as well as a food processing compo- nent to reinforce vocational training to support regional processing. “This CAFE project is going to be an incredible center, and the university’s vision for it is exciting,” Bryan Searle, IFBF presi- dent said in a press release announcing the organiza- tion’s financial pledge. “It’s a privilege for Idaho Farm Bureau to be a part of it,” he said. CAFE is projected to be the largest integrated 9 research facility focused on dairy and allied industry in the U.S. and will enhance a national and international reputation that will reflect the size, quality and impor- tance of the industry it rep- resents, he said in a letter of support for the project. CAFE will “strengthen Idaho’s position on the map as a center for agricultural and food innovation and technology,” he said Idaho Farm Bureau “recognizes the impact CAFE will have across our entire agricultural industry and the value that will pro- vide to our members and all Idaho producers,” he said. Prices looking for direction By LEE MIELKE For the Capital Press D airy prices were mixed in the short- ened President’s Day holiday week. Cheddar block cheese closed Friday at $1.5950 per pound, up 1 1/2-cents on the week and 10 cents above a year ago. The barrels saw a Fri- day close at $1.4050, 3 cents lower on the week and 5 1/2-cents below a year ago. 3 cars of block traded hands last week at the CME and 23 of barrel. Monday’s block price inched a quarter-cent higher, then added a penny and a quarter Tuesday, hitting $1.61, highest CME price since Oct. 16. The barrels were up a half-cent Monday and stayed there Tuesday at $1.41, an unsustainable 20 cents below the blocks. Dairy Market News says pizza cheesemakers report sales were a little ahead of expectations while curd and barrel cheese producers are DAIRY MARKETS Lee Mielke hopeful for some summer demand increases before production increases will be scheduled. Milk remains plentiful and nearly all Class III spot loads were reported at flat to $2 under Class. Rural area cheesemakers remain con- cerned about smaller farms staying in business, stating that closures are not a matter of if, but when, for a grow- ing number of sub-100 cow herds. Western cheesemak- ers report strong domestic demand and in select inter- national markets. Others say cheese interest is ade- quate but not great. There is plenty of milk to be made into cheese and vats are run- ning at or near full capacity. Stocks are heavy so man- ufacturers do not want to build inventory, according to DMN. Cash butter closed Fri- day at $2.26 per pound, up a penny on the week and 8 3/4- cents above a year ago, with 26 cars sold last week. Monday’s spot price was up three-quarters but it gave back a quarter-cent Tuesday, slipping to $2.2650. Butter analysts con- tinue to point out the range- bound nature of the market since, and throughout much of, 2018. Demand is steady, while production continues actively to pack away inven- tories. Cream supplies are plentiful, reports DMN. Western butter output is solid despite the cold weather. Milkfats and other milk components have decreased in the affected zones but cream is still read- ily available. Bulk butter stocks continue to build but are not overwhelming. Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at 99 3/4-cents per pound, up a penny on the week and 32 1/2-cents above a year ago with only 4 cars sold on the week. WE SPECIALIZE IN BULK BAGS! BAGS: • Seed Bags • Fertilizer Bags • Feed Bags • Potato Bags • Printed Bags • Plain Bags • Bulk Bags • Totes • Woven Polypropylene • Bopp • Polyethylene • Pocket Bags • Roll Stock & More! 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Today, Jana runs the farm in close partnership with her parents, George and Dora. Jana takes the lead on milking and managing the cows, and new perspectives.” greenhouse gas emissions. As Jessica Luhning, Organic Valley sustainability manager, says, “We see firsthand the benefits carbon farming brings to soil health, water quality and quantity, on-farm biodiversity and long-term farm viability. Organic livestock farmers are natural leaders in the carbon farming movement and believe in being part of the solution.” As Jana says, “We all need to do our part for the planet. They don’t make any more land, and if you take care of it, it takes care of you.” More of this story online. For resources on farm transfer visit: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/resources 9-2/103 George, Dora and Jana McClelland Photo Credit : ©David Nevala for Organic Valley Cooperative. “We really started seeing that healthier Her parents transition started soil meant healthier cows,” with increasing cow numbers says Jana. so there were options for “Farmers love the land, it’s both Jana and her brother. Jana’s brother got set up with time to quantify the benefits they provide,” Jana says. his own ranch nearby. And These benefits are starting to they worked with a family be recognized through planner, an attorney and an California’s Healthy Soils Jana knew she wanted to go accountant to set up a plan. Jana recommends, “Put it all Initiative. Working with back to the farm since high on paper—even if you talk a Organic Valley, the school, when she did a McClellands received funds lot, there’s a difference to Future Farmers of America from the program for new project on creek restoration. putting it down.” creek restoration plantings When Jana returned home Jana’s family knows that a and compost application on from Cal Poly, she jumped successful future for the farm pastures. These are right in, “No break! Not even is about more than the plans considered “carbon farming” one day,” says Jana. Looking on paper—it is about caring practices, because they back, she would consider for the land. In 2011, they increase carbon storage in working someplace else joined Organic Valley the soil and reduce before coming back to the farm, Jana says, “to gain team management. While George leads on the silage, pasture management and compost. Jana says, “my parents are not ready to retire, this is a good thing. I am forever learning more from them and we balance each other out.”