A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers formally pressed the Food and Drug Administration on Sunday to take enforcement action against plant-based products that use traditional dairy terms on their labels, arguing the practice harms both farmers and shoppers.

Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch and Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin led the effort, joined by Pennsylvania Rep. John Joyce and New York Rep. Josh Riley. The four members called on FDA to enforce existing dairy standards of identity and to rescind current agency guidance that has allowed imitation products to use terms historically associated with milk, cheese, and other dairy goods.

The Core Complaint

The lawmakers argued that allowing plant-based products derived from nuts, grains, or other non-animal sources to carry dairy terminology creates confusion for consumers and puts traditional dairy producers at a competitive disadvantage. In a joint statement, the four members said the practice “unfairly impacts dairy farmers and processors and harms consumers due to inaccurate labeling information.”

They called on the agency to “enforce dairy standards of identity and stop imitation products from usurping dairy terms” — language that reflects longstanding frustration among dairy-state lawmakers over what they see as regulatory inaction.

DAIRY PRIDE Act Background

The push is tied directly to the DAIRY PRIDE Act, legislation Risch and Baldwin first introduced in July 2025. The bill would prohibit imitation products made from plants, nuts, or grains from using dairy-specific names in their marketing and labeling. The legislation has drawn support from several major industry organizations, including the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the American Farm Cooperative.

Risch has been a consistent advocate for Idaho’s dairy sector, which ranks among the most productive in the country. He has partnered with colleagues across the aisle on other agricultural and public-safety priorities, reflecting a pattern of bipartisan cooperation on issues with direct economic stakes for Idaho.

What the Members Are Asking For

Beyond calling for stricter enforcement, the lawmakers specifically urged FDA to pull back its existing guidance on dairy labeling — guidance critics say has given plant-based producers too much latitude in how they describe their products. The members did not specify a response deadline in their public statement.

FDA has faced pressure from both sides of the debate. The plant-based food industry has argued that consumers understand the distinction between, for example, almond milk and cow’s milk, and that existing labels are sufficiently clear. Dairy advocates counter that standardized terminology exists for a reason and should be applied consistently.

What Comes Next

Whether FDA acts on the congressional request remains to be seen. The DAIRY PRIDE Act has not yet advanced out of committee, and the agency retains discretion over how aggressively it enforces labeling standards. Supporters of the bill are likely to keep pressure on the agency as the legislative push continues.

For Idaho’s dairy industry, the stakes are practical. The state’s producers have a direct financial interest in ensuring that imitation products do not benefit from branding that consumers associate with traditional dairy, making the Risch-led effort one with clear local resonance.