FDA Releases Plant-Based “Milk” Labeling Timeline

During last week’s congressional hearing where dairy supporters on the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the Food and Drug Administration for more information on its actions against fake milk products, FDA Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones pledged to provide a timeline on next steps on the matter. This week, Jones’s office shared a timetable for when FDA intends to move forward with its guidance for the labeling of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA), which was first issued back in February 2023.

During the comment period for that proposal last summer, the agency received over 5,400 comments – including NMPF’s perspective that the guidance is illegal and should be withdrawn. The FDA indicated in the draft proposal that it would continue allowing plant products to use the term milk in their names, but also ask the imitators to explain prominently how their nutrient composition is different than real milk.

Jones said this week that based on feedback to the draft guidance, FDA plans to conduct additional focus groups to further test labeling statements. While the focus groups are being conducted, FDA anticipates the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report (DGAC) by the end of 2024, which may contain new information on milk imitators. Given the time needed for the additional testing and clearance, FDA now expects the guidance to be published at the end of 2025.